hill descent control
04-24-2012, 11:16 AM
#1
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hill descent control
So I bought a 2012 sahara unlimited over the weekend. I am loving it so far. I did a search in the faq section but didn't find anything. Can anyone tell me how the hill descent works? Does it have to be in 4lo or will it also work in 2hi? I've never owned a vehicle with this feature any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
04-24-2012, 11:50 AM
#2
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I put my jeep in park. In 4low. And turn it on. I havent gone down anything too steep. But I literally will break for you goin down a hill. Kinda freaky to me not being in control
04-24-2012, 11:57 AM
#3
From the User Manual
You can download a user manual -> DOWNLOAD AN OWNER MANUAL (at no charge)
It talks about it on 434 STARTING AND OPERATING
Hill Descent Control (HDC) – If Equipped
HDC is only intended for low speed off-road driving.
HDC maintains vehicle speed while descending hills in
off-road driving conditions by applying the brakes when
necessary.
The symbol indicates the status of the Hill
Descent Control (HDC) feature. The lamp will
be on solid when HDC is armed. HDC can only
be armed when the transfer case is in the “4WD
LOW” position and the vehicle speed is less then 30 mph
(48 km/h). If these conditions are not met while attempting
to use the HDC feature, the HDC indicator light will
flash on/off.
When enabled, HDC senses the terrain and activates
when the vehicle is descending a hill. HDC speed may be
adjusted by the driver to suit the driving conditions. The
speed corresponds to the transmission gear selected.
Gear Approximate HDC Set
Speed
1st 1 mph (1.5 km/h)
2nd 2.5 mph (4 km/h)
3rd 4 mph (6.5 km/h)
4th 5.5 mph (9 km/h)
DRIVE 7.5 mph (12 km/h)
REVERSE 1 mph (1.5 km/h)
However, the driver can override HDC operation by
applying the brake to slow the vehicle down below the
HDC control speed. If more speed is desired during HDC
control, the accelerator pedal will increase vehicle speed
in the usual manner. When either the brake or the
accelerator is released, HDC will control the vehicle at the
original set speed.
Enabling HDC
1. Shift the transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Refer to
“Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in “Starting and Operating”
for further information.
2. Press the “Hill Descent” button. The “Hill Descent
Control Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will
turn on solid.
NOTE: If the transfer case is not in 4WD LOW range,
the “Hill Descent Control Indicator Light” will flash for
five seconds and HDC will not be enabled.
Disabling HDC
1. Press the “Hill Descent” button or shift the transfer
case out of 4WD LOW range. The “Hill Descent Control
Indicator” light in the instrument cluster will turn off.
It talks about it on 434 STARTING AND OPERATING
Hill Descent Control (HDC) – If Equipped
HDC is only intended for low speed off-road driving.
HDC maintains vehicle speed while descending hills in
off-road driving conditions by applying the brakes when
necessary.
The symbol indicates the status of the Hill
Descent Control (HDC) feature. The lamp will
be on solid when HDC is armed. HDC can only
be armed when the transfer case is in the “4WD
LOW” position and the vehicle speed is less then 30 mph
(48 km/h). If these conditions are not met while attempting
to use the HDC feature, the HDC indicator light will
flash on/off.
When enabled, HDC senses the terrain and activates
when the vehicle is descending a hill. HDC speed may be
adjusted by the driver to suit the driving conditions. The
speed corresponds to the transmission gear selected.
Gear Approximate HDC Set
Speed
1st 1 mph (1.5 km/h)
2nd 2.5 mph (4 km/h)
3rd 4 mph (6.5 km/h)
4th 5.5 mph (9 km/h)
DRIVE 7.5 mph (12 km/h)
REVERSE 1 mph (1.5 km/h)
However, the driver can override HDC operation by
applying the brake to slow the vehicle down below the
HDC control speed. If more speed is desired during HDC
control, the accelerator pedal will increase vehicle speed
in the usual manner. When either the brake or the
accelerator is released, HDC will control the vehicle at the
original set speed.
Enabling HDC
1. Shift the transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Refer to
“Four-Wheel Drive Operation” in “Starting and Operating”
for further information.
2. Press the “Hill Descent” button. The “Hill Descent
Control Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will
turn on solid.
NOTE: If the transfer case is not in 4WD LOW range,
the “Hill Descent Control Indicator Light” will flash for
five seconds and HDC will not be enabled.
Disabling HDC
1. Press the “Hill Descent” button or shift the transfer
case out of 4WD LOW range. The “Hill Descent Control
Indicator” light in the instrument cluster will turn off.
04-24-2012, 12:00 PM
#4
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So I bought a 2012 sahara unlimited over the weekend. I am loving it so far. I did a search in the faq section but didn't find anything. Can anyone tell me how the hill descent works? Does it have to be in 4lo or will it also work in 2hi? I've never owned a vehicle with this feature any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Once engaged, the system will brake individual wheels to keep you at the speed dictated by your gear selection, but only on a descent. The angle of the descent doesn't have to be much for the system to kick in.
1st gear = 1mph, 2nd gear = 2.5mph, 3rd gear = 4mph or close to those. Check the manual for specifics.
Some like it, some feel it's an abomination. Personally, I'm a fan. When out wheeling I engage the system and shift the auto to 3rd or 4th. I think it's a nice backup; if my foot were to slip off the brake on a downhill, the Jeep would brake and keep me from careening down the hill while I got my foot situated.
It also has the novelty of "look ma, no feet!"
04-24-2012, 12:06 PM
#6
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Actually, no. HDC uses he brakes to slow the vehicle. The gear selector merely dictates how fast or slow you want to go, but the brakes kick in long before engine braking would have an effect.