DRIVING UP HILLS & STEEP TERRAIN
Off roading this way in a 4WD is both thrilling and risky. It's thrilling because it's adventurous, but it's risky because there's a high chance of your vehicle rolling down the hill.
Before you start driving up the hill, take a moment to step out of your vehicle and inspect the track. Check for any obstacles on the route and make sure there's a clear path at the top. This will help ensure a safe and smooth ascent.
Use a high gear; if the gear is too low, you will spin the tyres. If it's too high, you will lose power. You should start by selecting 2nd gear, low ratio, and use a short run-up to gain momentum. Adjust your speed while climbing the hill to ensure that you are moving at a walking pace and not exceeding it. Never change gear or direction once you've committed to a hill.
While driving uphill, your view may become all sky. That’s why you should always check the hill's path before you start to avoid a surprise cliff at the top.
Ascending hills and steep terrain tips:
- Approach straight on for equal traction to all four tyres.
- Use the highest comfortable gear. If the gear is too low, you will spin the tyres. If it's too high, you won't have enough power.
- Always have an escape plan ready.
Don't stress if you can't make it up on your first try. This is a common challenge for drivers of all levels. However, if you don't make it up the climb, it's very important to know how to get back down safely. While it may appear simple, there are numerous risks to be aware of.
When rolling backward down a steep slope, your instinct might be to press the clutch to prevent the engine from stalling, but this will actually stop forward drive and cause your vehicle to roll backward faster. Similarly, pumping the brakes on a steep gradient can lead to a slide, causing a loss of steering control.
If you find yourself rolling backward down the hill, stay calm. Avoid pressing the clutch or pumping the brakes, as both can worsen the situation. Instead, steer carefully and keep your focus on regaining control of the vehicle as you descend.
Stall recovery technique for vehicles with a manual transmission:
- Don't touch the clutch - this is harder than you think
- While you're going into your engine stall, release the foot brake slowly and smoothly
- Pull your hand brake. Now you have three mechanical elements that prevent you from rolling backwards: you're still in gear, your foot brake and your hand brake
- If someone can get out of the car to guide you back down, then it’s great, but don't get out of the car as this means you're releasing the foot brake
- Put your foot gently back on the clutch
- Shift your vehicle into reverse gear and engage in low range
- Slowly take your foot off the clutch
- With your foot still on the foot brake , slowly release the hand brake
- Carefully and slowly remove your foot brake
- With the reverse gear engaged and the engine off, you should remain still
- Restart your engine with your foot off the clutch to let the car's engine braking control to assist in your descent
Stall recovery techniques for vehicles with an automatic transmission:
- Put your foot on the brake.
- Pull your hand brake.
- If you've stalled your engine, put the transmission into 'Park'. Now you have three mechanical elements that prevent you from rolling: Your transmission is still in drive or park mode, your foot brake, and your hand brake.
- If someone can get out of the car to guide you back down, then it’s great but don't get out of the car as this means you're releasing the foot brake.
- If your engine has stalled, then you need to restart it.
- Shift your transmission into Neutral.
- Engage in Low Range.
- Shift your transmission into Reverse.
- With your foot brake depressed, carefully release the hand brake.
- Slowly remove the foot brake to start your controlled descent.
For both types of transmissions, when you’ve completed all those steps, you should now be on your way back down but try not to touch the accelerator or brake. If the hill is steep, you may need to tap the brakes gently, but this is risky as you may lock your wheels and trigger a slide.
Once you've made it back to the bottom, have another go, but try a different tact. If it didn't work the first time, it probably won't work again. So, try a different route, change your tyre pressure, or mule some equipment up the hill on foot.
For uphill driving, lower tyre pressure to increase traction. There's no single recommended pressure - it varies by terrain. Deflate conservatively to avoid punctures mid-climb.
Descending steep hills is easier than climbing, with better visibility and help from gravity. However, very steep slopes can be dangerous. As with uphill driving, maintaining traction is key to a safe descent.
Driving down Steep hill tips:
- Take a look at the hill by walking down it first. If you can't walk it, you likely won't be able to drive it.
- Have a backup plan in case you lose control or the hill gets too steep. Reversing up may be required.
- Reduce tyre pressure for maximum traction, but there's no single optimal pressure. So, deflate your tyres conservatively.
- Choose the safest existing path to descend.
- Use low range and first gear to control your descent.
What to do if you can’t make it down safely:
- Apply the foot brake gently and smoothly, don't slam the brakes as it puts you at risk of locking the wheels and losing control
- Once you've come to a stop, pull your hand brake and put your vehicle in reverse
- Reverse back up the way you've come
