Fleetwood 1997 Discovery Owner's Manual page 69

Remember that your motor home is heavier than a car, making
it less maneuverable and harder to stop. Also, because of its
greater side sUlface area, it is more easily affected by cross
winds. Allow extra distances for passing and stopping, and
drive at a moderate speed, particularly in traffic and in gusty
wind conditions.
Dliving on winding or mountain roads is not difficult if done
with reasonable care. Observe proper vehicle speeds when
ascending or descending hills and always operate in the proper
transmission range. Downshift on hills to avoid overheating or
undue engine loads. Downshift when descending grades.
Engine compression, fdclion and the compression brake
system will help control vehicle speed, and relieve some of
the strain on the brakes. DO NOT EXCEED MAXIMUM
ENGINE RPM
for the gear range you are in. Serious compo-
nent damage could occur. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear before starting down the grade. Match speed and gear
using the tachometer. Refer to the Chassis Operator's Manual
for downhill driving technique.
To use the engine as a braking force, select the next lower
gear. If the motor home is exceeding the maximum RPM for
this gear, use the service brakes to slow down. When a lower
speed is reached, the transmission Electronic Control Unit
(ECU) will automatically downshift the transmission. Engine
braking provides good speed control for going down grades.
When the motor home is heavily loaded, or the grade is steep,
preselection of a lower gear prior to the grade may be desir-
able.
Gear preselection means the selection of a lower gear to
match the driving conditions you encounter or expect to
encounter. Preselection will give you better control on slick or
icy roads and on downgrades. Downshifting to lower gears
increases engine braking. The selection of a lower gear often
prevents cycling between a gear and the next higher gear on a
series of short up-and-down hills.
DiSCOVERY - CopYRiqJIT 1996, FIEmvood ENTERPRiSES, INC.
All RiqHTs RESERVEd.
UsiNq THE ENqiNE
TO
Slow THE
MOTOn HOME