1997 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 163

Driving Acrossan Incline Sooner or later, an off-road trail will probably go across the incline of a hill. If this happens,you have to decide whether to try to drive acrossthe incline. Here are some things to consider: A hill that can be driven straight up or down may be For reasons like these, you needto decide carefully whether to try to drive across an incline. Just because the trail goes across the incline doesn't meanyou have to drive it.The last vehicle to try it might have rolled over. too steep to drive across. When you go straight up or down a hill, the length of the wheel base (the distance from the front wheels to the rear wheels) reduces the likelihood the vehicle will tumble end over end. But when you drive across an incline, the much more narrow track width (the distancebetween the left and right wheels) may not prevent the vehicle from tilting and rolling over. Also, driving acrossan incline puts more weight on the downhill wheels. This could cause a downhill slide orrollover. a Surface conditions can be a problem when you drive across a hill. Loose gravel, muddy spots, or even wet grass can cause your tires to slip sideways, downhill. If the vehicle slips sideways, it can hit something that will trip it (a rock, a rut, etc.) and roll over. Hidden obstacles can make the steepness of the incline even worse. If you drive across a rock with the uphill wheels, or if the downhill wheels drop into a rut or depression, your vehicle can tilt even more. 'A CAUTION: Driving across an incline that's too steep will make your vehicle roll over. You could be seriously injuredor killed. If you have any doubt of about the steepness the incline, don't drive across it. Find another route instead. Qt What if I'm driving across an incline that's not to too steep, butI hit some loose gravel and start slide downhill. What should do? I A: If you feel your vehicle starting to slide sideways, turn downhill. This should help straighten out the vehicle and prevent the side slipping.However, a much better way to prevent this is to get out and "walk the course7'so you know what the surface is like before you drive it. 4-25