2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 309

Approaching a Hill When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it's oneof 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 incline with only a small change in elevation where you can easily see all the way to the top. On a large hill, the incline may get steeper as you near the top, but you may notsee 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. e Driving Uphill Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you need to take some special steps. Use a low gear and get a firm grip on the steering wheel. Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain your speed. Don't use more power than you need, because you don't want your wheels to start spinning or sliding. Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible. If the path twists and turns, you might want to find another route. Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get sharply steeper in places? e e e e e Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the surface cause tire slipping? Is there a straight path 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 hill? Is there a cliff, an embankment, a drop-off, a fence? Get out and walk the hill 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 to the effects of erosion. Turning or driving across steep hills can be dangerous. You could lose traction, slide sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be seriously injured or killed. When driving up hills, always try to go straight up.