GMC 2003 Sierra - Manual (Page 309)

Approaching a HIM
When you appiioach a hill, you need to decide if it's one of
those hills that's ^ust too steap to descend
Of cfoss.
Stflepnass can be hard lo fudge. Ол a very small hill, for
example, there may be a smooth, conslant incline with
only a small change in elevation where you can easily
see ail the way to the tup. Огг □ large hill, the incline may
get sleeper as you near ihe lop, bJt you may not see this
because Ihe cresl of the hill is hidcfen by bushes^ grass
or shrubs.
Here are some olber things to consider as you approach
a hill.
* Is there a constant incline, or does Ihe hill gat
sharply sleeper in places?
* Is thore 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 paih (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)?
* What's beyond Ihe hi1i7 Is ihere a cliff, an
embankmenl, a drop-off, a fanca? Get out and walk
Ihe hill if you dor^'t know. Il's Ihe smart way to
find out.
* la 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,
Driving UphMI
Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you
need to take some special steps.
• Use a low gear and gel a firm grip on ihe steering
wheel.
• Get a smooth start up the hill and iry to maintajn
your speed. Don't use more power than you
naed, because you don't want your wheefs to stad
spinning or sliding.
• Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible. If
the path twists and turns, you might wani to lind
another route.
A CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide
sideways, and pcasibly roll over. You could be
seriously fniured or killed. When driving up
hill?, always Iry to
90
straight up.
4'2S