1997 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 157

Approaching a Hill When you approach ahill, you need to decideif it's one of those hills that's just too steep to climb, descend or cross. Steepness can hard to judge.On a very small be hill, for example,there may be a smooth, constant incline with only a smallchange in elevationwhere you can easily see all way to thetop. On a largehill, the the incline may get steeperas you near the top, but you may not see this because the crest the hill is hidden of by bushes, grass orshrubs. Here are some other things to consider as approach you a hill. 0 Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the surface cause tire slipping? 0 Is there a straightpath up or down the hill so you won't have to make turning maneuvers? Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your path (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)? What's beyond the hl? Is there a cliff, an il embankment, a drop-off, a fence? Get out and walk the h l if you don't know. It's the smart way to find out. il Is the hillsimply too rough? Steephills often have ruts, gullies,troughs and exposed rocks because they are more susceptible to the effectsof erosion. 0 0 0 Is there a constant incline, or does the eet s h m l v hill steeper in places? 4-19