Fleetwood Discovery Owner's Manual page 20

Be cautious of road
‹
debris that can damage
the undercarriage of the
motorhome or become
lodged in the dual tires and
cause damage to the tires,
wheel rims or tow vehicle.
Avoid deflating the tag
‹
axle on uneven surfaces
as chassis ground
clearance is reduced. The
tag axle air springs will
automatically deflate when
the transmission is placed
Deflating the tag axle can reduce ground clearance
in reverse.
On back roads and
‹
single divided roads, tree
branches and shrubbery can
protrude into the roadway.
Watch for low hanging
branches especially during
inclement weather. Rain
and snow will cause
branches to hang lower
than usual.
Keep in mind that posted
‹
speed signs are usually
passenger automobile
rated. Be extra aware of
driving conditions and
use the appropriate speed
for a motorhome when
necessary, especially on
corners and mountain
roads.
Downgrade speed should
‹
be at least 5 mph less
than upgrade speed, or
downgrade speed should
be attainable within
three seconds of a brake
application.
Use a four second rule
‹
when following other
vehicles at speeds under 40
mph. Use a five second rule
when following at speeds
over 40 mph.
Right Turns:
Navigating a right hand turn
without entering into the other
lane or jumping the curb can be
difficult. Here are a few tips to
make a right hand turn easier:
When
‹
approaching the turn,
check the mirror to
ensure the lane to
the left is clear, then
move over to the left.
090502ab
When making
‹
the right turn, the left
rear wheel should touch
the center line of the road
and the driver's hips should
be parallel to the roadside
curb of the corner being
turned to aid in avoiding a
premature turn.
Make the turn slowly.
‹
Check mirrors
‹
frequently. Stay aware
of necessary clearance
and space management
of the motorhome while
negotiating the turn.
Discovery, Discovery LXE, Pace Arrow, and Pace Arrow LXEt
Left Turns:
Do not proceed with the
‹
turn until the driver's seat
is aligned with the center
of the intersection. If two
lanes are available, use the
right hand lane. Vehicles
or objects are more easily
seen by the driver on the
left hand side.
Ascending a Grade:
When approaching a grade,
assess the grade and length before
ascending. Prepare early for a long
ascent. Unlike gasoline engines,
diesels do not necessarily produce
more power by pressing further on
the accelerator.
Power output from a diesel
depends on the following
circumstances: The drivetrain is
more efficient when temperatures
remain stable during long grades.
RPM - Every engine has a
‹
RPM range that produces
the most efficient torque
curve.
Fuel/Air Mixture -
‹
Even though the engine
is equipped with a
turbocharger, there is a
limit to how much air
can be compressed into
the combustion chamber.
Conversely there is a limit
to how much fuel can be
injected to produce the
most efficient state of
combustion.
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