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STARTING AND OPERATING
grade could cause you to lose control. If the front
end begins to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly
to bring all four tires back on the ground. As you
approach the crest of the hill, ease off the throttle
and slowly proceed over the top. If the wheels start
to slip as you approach the crest of a hill, ease off
the accelerator and maintain headway by turning
the steering wheel no more than a quarter turn
quickly back and forth. This will provide a fresh
“bite” into the surface and will usually provide
enough traction to complete the climb. If you do
not make it to the top, place the vehicle in
REVERSE and back straight down the grade using
engine resistance along with the vehicle brakes.
DRIVING DOWNHILL
Before driving down a steep hill, you need to
determine if it is too steep for a safe descent. What
is the surface traction? Is the grade too steep to
maintain a slow, controlled descent? Are there
obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty
of distance at the base of the hill to regain control
if the vehicle descends too fast? If you feel
confident in your ability to proceed, then make
sure you are in 4WD LOW and proceed with
caution. Allow engine braking to control the
descent and apply your brakes, if necessary, but
do not allow the tires to lock.
DRIVING ACROSS AN INCLINE
If at all possible, avoid driving across an incline. If
it is necessary, know your vehicle's abilities. Driving
across an incline places more weight on the
downhill wheels, which increases the possibility of
a downhill slide or rollover. Make sure the surface
has good traction with firm and stable soils. If
possible, transverse the incline at an angle
heading slightly up or down.
IF YOU STALL OR BEGIN TO LOSE HEADWAY
If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing
a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop
and immediately apply the brake. Restart the
engine and shift into REVERSE. Back slowly down
the hill allowing engine braking to control the
descent and apply your brakes, if necessary, but
do not allow the tires to lock.
Driving Through Water
Extreme care should be taken crossing any type of
water. Water crossings should be avoided, if
possible, and only be attempted when necessary in
a safe, responsible manner. Only drive through
areas which are designated and approved. Tread
lightly and avoid damage to the environment.
Know your vehicle's abilities and be able to recover
it if something goes wrong. Never stop or shut a
vehicle off when crossing deep water unless you
ingested water into the engine air intake. If the
engine stalls, do not attempt to restart it.
Determine if it has ingested water first. The key to
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn
around on a steep grade. Driving across an
incline increases the risk of a rollover, which may
result in severe injury.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine
braking. Descending a grade too fast could
cause you to lose control and be seriously
injured or killed.
WARNING!
Driving across an incline increases the risk of a
rollover, which may result in severe injury.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or
cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade,
never attempt to turn around. To do so may
result in tipping and rolling the vehicle, which
may result in severe injury. Always back carefully
straight down a hill in REVERSE. Never back
down a hill in NEUTRAL using only the vehicle
brakes. Never drive diagonally across a hill,
always drive straight up or down.
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