2008 GMC Yukon Owner's Manual - Page 323

Driving Uphill Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you need to take some special steps. • Attach a flag to the vehicle to make you more visible to approaching traffic on trails or hills. • Sound the horn as you approach the top of the hill to let opposing traffic know you are there. • Use a low gear and get a firm grip on the steering wheel. • Use your headlamps even during the day. They make your vehicle more visible to oncoming traffic. • Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain your speed. Do not use more power than you need, because you do not want the wheels to start spinning or sliding. {CAUTION: Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed can cause an accident. There could be a drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even another vehicle. You could be seriously injured or killed. As you near the top of a hill, slow down and stay alert. There are some things you should do if the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall, and you cannot make it up the hill: • Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and keep it from rolling backwards. Also, apply the parking brake. • If your engine is still running, shift the transmission to REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and slowly back down the hill in REVERSE (R). {CAUTION: 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. • Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible. If the path twists and turns, you might want to find another route. • Ease up on your speed as you approach the top of the hill. 4-19