When driving down a mountain grade, you only get one chance to do it right. Navigating these tricky roads, curves, slopes and steep hills is dangerous, and proper driving technique is critical for your safety and those around you.
DID YOU KNOW: Trucks require more than 3 to 5 times more distance than a light motor vehicle to stop depending on their load.
Some of the most infamous grades include Interstate 70 near Denver; Donner Pass in northern California’s Sierra Nevada; The Grapevine, a 40-mile stretch from Castaic, Calif., to the San Joaquin Valley; Wolf Creek Pass, intertwining with the the San Juan Mountains in Colorado; and the Cabbage Hill near Pendleton, Ore.
If you find yourself navigating these tricky terrains, below are five tips on how to make a safe descent:
- Make sure your brakes are properly adjusted and in good working order before venturing into mountainous terrain.
- Slow way down or stop in a brake-check area at the top of the hill while the brakes are still cool.
- Procced down the hill in a gear that allows the truck to maintain a speed where the engine RPM is in the 1,800- to 2,000-RPM range in any of the three engine brake positions, depending on the steepness of the grade, without making a service-brake application.
- Avoid the temptation to upshift if you are seemingly going too slow. Use the engine brake to control vehicle speed. The grade might get steeper around the next curve.
- Ignore the speed of other drivers, who may be lightly loaded, inexperienced or driving dangerously fast for conditions.
Ensuring your truck is properly maintained allows you to be proactive and safe no matter where you’re headed. Schedule an appointment with your local MHC dealer today to stay road ready.