Driving Uphill - Chevrolet 2001 Tahoe Owner's Manual

On a large hill, the incline may get steeper as you near
the top, but you may not see this because the crest of
the hill is hidden by bushes, grass or shrubs.
Here are some other things to consider as you
approach a hill.
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Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get sharply
steeper in places?
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Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the
surface cause tire slipping?
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Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you
won't have to make turning maneuvers?
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Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your
path (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)?
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What's beyond the hill? Is there a cliff, an embankment,
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a drop off, a fence? Get out and walk the hill if you
don't know. It's the smart way to find out.
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Is 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 Uphill

Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you
need to take some special steps.
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Use a low gear and get a firm grip on the
steering wheel.
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Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain
your speed. Don't use more power than you need,
because you don't want your wheels to start spinning
or sliding.
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Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible.
If the path twists and turns, you might want to
find another route.
CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide sideways,
and possibly roll over. You could be seriously
injured or killed. When driving up hills, always
try to go straight up.
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