Operation Manual

Off-road driving
181
CLIMBING STEEP SLOPES
Engage the DIFF LOCK and ALWAYS follow
the fall line of the slope - travelling diagonally
could encourage the vehicle to slide broadside
down the slope.
Steep climbs will usually require the LOW gear
range. If the surface is loose or slippery, use
sufficient speed in the highest practical gear
to take advantage of the vehicle’s momentum.
However, too high a speed over a bumpy
surface may result in a wheel lifting, causing
vehicles not fitted with Traction control to lose
traction. In this case try a slower approach.
Traction can also be improved by easing off
the accelerator just before loss of forward
motion.
If the vehicle is unable to complete a climb, do
not attempt to turn it around while on the
slope. Instead, adopt the following procedure
to reverse downhill to the foot of the slope:
1. Hold the vehicle stationary using both foot
and hand brakes.
2. Restart the engine if necessary.
3. Engage reverse gear LOW range.
4. Release the handbrake. Then release the
foot brake and clutch simultaneously, and
allow the vehicle to reverse down the
slope using engine braking to control the
rate of descent.
5. Unless it is necessary to stop the vehicle
in order to negotiate obstructions, DO NOT
apply the brake or clutch pedal during the
descent.
6. If the vehicle begins to slide, accelerate
slightly to allow the tyres to regain grip.
When the vehicle is back on level ground or
where traction can be regained, a faster
approach will probably enable the hill to be
climbed. However, DO NOT take unnecessary
risks, if the hill is too difficult to climb, find an
alternative route.
WARNING
The engine must be restarted before
reversing down the slope, as there will be
no servo assistance to the brakes unless the
engine is running.