Steep Downhill in an Auto

[dazza85]

Here is a simple question
I was out in my newly aquired Surf '91 2,4 TD on a road
that drops 300 meters in about 3 K's (looked at the GPS on the way back up - forgot to look at the incline meter on the dash) and started to lose the brakes
What is the correct way to go down steep grades on or off road ??
What is your preferred method ??

[krawlr]

simple select lowrange and dont touch the gas,if you find shes still running away onya and youre loosing control apply a little gas this will help apply torque through youre drive helping reduct the slip but what ever you do dont touch the brakes.....cos then youve got loss of control and steering etc

now trucks are diffrent ....sometimes retarders can give you more greif with certain conditions on the roads so ive found....

hope this helps............

[Mongoose]

I read an article a while ago on this and tried it in my auto Pajero V6 I used to have going down Jollies pass or Jack's pass I can never remember which it is, the 4wd one not the road one. at the back of Hanmer. Seemed to work quite well as the Paj had pretty much no engine braking down steep hills.

Apparently you apply enough throttle to lock up the torque convertor which would normally have you accelerate down the hill, at the same time gently brake with your left foot and control your speed that way while keeping the right foot constant on the throttle if possible. On a hill as gentle as you describe you probably wouldn't need much in the way of brakes if you keep the torque convertor locked in this way.
Hope that helps.

Cheers.

[nz4x4]

put your left foot on the brake, and drive through your brakes (right foot for accelerator) if you know what i mean.

basically as above in very very simple terms.