Driving On GradesReduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore you startdown a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shiftdown, you might have to use your brakes so much thatthey would get hot and no longer work well.You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift thetransmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gearselection if the transmission shifts too often (e.g.,under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if thetransmission shifts too often. See “Tow/Haul Mode”earlier.When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lowertemperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn yourengine off immediately after towing at high altitudeon steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signssimilar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let theengine run while parked (preferably on level ground)with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for afew minutes before turning the engine off. If you do getthe overheat warning, seeEngine Overheating onpage 5-28.Parking on Hills{CAUTION:You really should not park your vehicle, with atrailer attached, on a hill. If something goeswrong, your rig could start to move. Peoplecan be injured, and both your vehicle and thetrailer can be damaged.But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’show to do it:1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift intoPARK (P) yet.2. Have someone place chocks under the trailerwheels.3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release theregular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply yourparking brake and shift into PARK (P).5. Release the regular brakes.4-62
