1998 GMC Suburban Owner's Manual - Page 210

Driving on Off-Road Hills Off-road driving often takes you up, down or across a hill. Driving safely on hills requires good judgment and an understanding of what your vehicle can and can't do. There are some hills that simply can't be driven, no matter how well built the vehicle. incline with only a small change in elevation where you can easily see a l l the way to the top. On a large hill, the incline may get steeper as YOLInear the top, but you may not see this because the crest of the hill is hidden by bushes, grass or shrubs. Here are some other things to consider as you approach a hill. 0 Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get sharply steeper in places'? 0 Many hills are simply too steep for any vehicle. If you drive up them, you will stall.If you drive down them, you can't control your speed. you If drive across them, you will roll over. could be You seriously injured or killed. If you have any doubt about the steepness, don'tdrive the hill. Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the surface C ~ L I tire slipping'? S ~ Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you won't have to make turning mmeuvers? 0 0 Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your path (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)? What's beyond the hill'? Is there a cliff, an enlbankment, a drop-off, a fence'? Get out and walk the I d if you don't know. It's the smart way to .find out. Is the hill simply too rough'? Steep hills often have ruts, gullies, troughs and exposed rocks because they are more susceptible t o the effects of erosion. 0 I - lproaching a Hill When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it's one of those hills that's just too steep to climb, descend or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge. On a very small hill, for example. there may be a smooth, constant 0 4-18