Jeep GLADIATOR 2022 Owner's Manual page 181

into the surface and will usually provide enough trac-
tion to complete the climb. If you do not make it to the
top, place the vehicle in REVERSE and back straight
down the grade using engine resistance along with the
vehicle brakes.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn
around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline
increases the risk of a rollover, which may result in
severe injury.
DRIVING DOWNHILL
Before driving down a steep hill, you need to determine
if it is too steep for a safe descent. What is the surface
traction? Is the grade too steep to maintain a slow, con-
trolled descent? Are there obstacles? Is it a straight
descent? Is there plenty of distance at the base of the
hill to regain control if the vehicle descends too fast? If
you feel confident in your ability to proceed, then make
sure you are in 4L and proceed with caution. Allow
engine braking to control the descent and apply your
brakes, if necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking.
Descending a grade too fast could cause you to lose
control and be seriously injured or killed.
DRIVING ACROSS AN INCLINE
If at all possible, avoid driving across an incline. If it is
necessary, know your vehicle's abilities. Driving across
an incline places more weight on the downhill wheels,
which increases the possibilities of a downhill slide or
rollover. Make sure the surface has good traction with
firm and stable soils. If possible, transverse the incline
at an angle heading slightly up or down.
WARNING!
Driving across an incline increases the risk of a roll-
over, which may result in severe injury.
IF YOU STALL OR BEGIN TO LOSE HEADWAY
If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and
shift into REVERSE. Back slowly down the hill allowing
engine braking to control the descent and apply your
brakes, if necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in tipping
and rolling the vehicle, which may result in severe
injury. Always back carefully straight down a hill in
REVERSE. Never back down a hill in NEUTRAL using
only the vehicle brakes. Never drive diagonally across
a hill, always drive straight up or down.
STARTING AND OPERATING
Driving Through Water
Extreme care should be taken crossing any type of
water. Water crossings should be avoided, if possible,
and only be attempted when necessary in a safe,
responsible manner. You should only drive through
areas which are designated and approved. You should
tread lightly and avoid damage to the environment. You
should know your vehicle's abilities and be able to
recover it if something goes wrong. You should never
stop or shut a vehicle off when crossing deep water
unless you ingested water into the engine air intake. If
the engine stalls, do not attempt to restart it. Determine
if it has ingested water first. The key to any crossing is
low and slow. Shift into FIRST gear (manual transmis-
sion), or DRIVE (automatic transmission), with the
transfer case in the 4L position and proceed very slowly
with a constant slow speed (3 to 5 mph {5 to 8 km/h}
maximum) and light throttle. Keep the vehicle moving;
do not try to accelerate through the crossing. After
crossing any water higher than the bottom of the axle
differentials, you should inspect all of the vehicle fluids
for signs of water ingestion.
CAUTION!
•
Water ingestion into the axles, transmission, trans-
fer case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if you
drive too fast or through too deep of water. Water
can cause permanent damage to engine, driveline
or other vehicle components, and your brakes will
be less effective once wet and/or muddy.
•
When driving through water, do not exceed
5 mph (8 km/h). Always check water depth
before entering as a precaution, and check all
fluids afterward. Driving through water may
cause damage that may not be covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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