1995 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 153

Driving Downhill When off-roading takes you downhill, you'llwant to considera number of things: How steep is the downhill? Will able to maintain I be vehicle control? What's the surface like? Smooth? Rough? Slippery? Hard-packed dirt? Gravel? 0 0 Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs? Boulders? What's at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hidden creek bank even a or river bottomwith large rocks? If you decide you can godown a hill safely, then t y to keep yourvehicle r headed straight down, and use a low This way, engine drag canhelp gear. your brakes and they won't have to do all the work. Descend slowly, keeping yourvehicle under control atall times. Q: Are there some thingsI should not do when driving downhill? a A: Yes! These are important because ifyou ignore them you could lose control and have a serious accident. When driving downhill, avoid turnsthat take you across the inclineof the hill. A hill that's not too steep drive down may be too steepto to if drive across.You could roll over you don't drive straight down. Never go downhillwith the transmission in NEUTRAL (N), or with the clutch pedal depressed a manual shift. This is in called "free-wheeling." Your brakes will have to do all the work and could overheat and fade. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock: Avoid braking so hard that you lock the front wheelswhen going downhill.If your front wheels are locked, you can't steer your vehicle. your wheels lock up during If downhill braking,you may feel the vehicle starting to slide sideways. To regain your direction, just ease the brakes and steer keep the off to front of the vehicle pointing straight downhill. 4- 19