How to drive down a steep gradient with auto rwd?

[DeanBrown3D]

Good evening all.

This question is concerning a RWD passenger car - a 99 Lexus LS in this particular case.

The road I live on is a pita when it snows. It's hilly on both ends, and I live in the middle. The hills are so steep that I have to go slower than walking pace, literally teeter-tottering over for a few hundred yards at a time - continuous firm braking. This is too slow for engine braking to take effect, on any car. On my RWD, I get the sense that the rear driven wheels are pushing a bit, which may or may not be a good thing, and this is what I'm trying to elucidate. Any thoughts on this? I want to know for myself, and I want to advise the wife too.

And while I'm at it, is the advise different with a permanent AWD car? We might be picking up a GS 350 this weekend

 

[DiscoPhoto]

Not sure why it matters, do you have proper snow tires? If not, then get them.

 

[Devildog01]

This is a Discovery forum. Discovery's have hill decent control. End thread.

 

[robertf]

This is a Discovery forum. Discovery's have hill decent control. End thread.

Only the shitty ones

 

[p m]

This is a Discovery forum. Discovery's have hill decent control. End thread.

Come again?

That said, the HDC on the LR4 worked very well today - although I turned it off since I needed to bleed about 1000 ft in elevation. Low range took nice care of that.

To the OP - I'd say you're SOL with mechanical options on the Lexus. Snow tires/chains will do wonders, though.

 

[Keanan]

What tires do you have? Rear wheel drive is not your problem. If you put some good snow tires on your Lexass your problems will be solved.

 

[Blueboy]

We live on a pretty steep hill as well and I usually leave before the plow gets here. On the really steep part I am in neutral and try to feel the brakes on snow or ice. No doubt tire choice really effects the ride. Finally put new generation snow tires on the Saab and huge difference between the all weather tires. And also carry chains for when you have to just get there. Chains are night and day and the newer versions like RUD are really easy to put on along side the road. AWD does't have any influence going down.

 

[Blueboy]

This is a Discovery forum. Discovery's have hill decent control. End thread

too funny especially as he is probably serious

 

[kennith]

Good evening all.

This question is concerning a RWD passenger car - a 99 Lexus LS in this particular case.

The road I live on is a pita when it snows. It's hilly on both ends, and I live in the middle. The hills are so steep that I have to go slower than walking pace, literally teeter-tottering over for a few hundred yards at a time - continuous firm braking. This is too slow for engine braking to take effect, on any car. On my RWD, I get the sense that the rear driven wheels are pushing a bit, which may or may not be a good thing, and this is what I'm trying to elucidate. Any thoughts on this? I want to know for myself, and I want to advise the wife too.

And while I'm at it, is the advise different with a permanent AWD car? We might be picking up a GS 350 this weekend

The instruction you seek is not relevant in such a location. It is possible, and even easy to manage such a vehicle, but not in a residential area.

You need tires man, and that's the end of it. Winter tires are cheap.

If that doesn't solve your problem, have the tires studded. Fuck the law. The issue will vanish entirely.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[Devildog01]

too funny especially as he is probably serious

Oh I'm dead serious. I'm extra serious at 1am on a Saturday night.

 

[Ed Cheung]

Don't listen to those retards, junk that damn lexus and get the GS 350.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

This is a Discovery forum. Discovery's have hill decent control. End thread.

This is the General BS section, surely you can talk about any driving techniques?

 

[DeanBrown3D]

We live on a pretty steep hill as well and I usually leave before the plow gets here. On the really steep part I am in neutral and try to feel the brakes on snow or ice. No doubt tire choice really effects the ride. Finally put new generation snow tires on the Saab and huge difference between the all weather tires. And also carry chains for when you have to just get there. Chains are night and day and the newer versions like RUD are really easy to put on along side the road. AWD does't have any influence going down.

Thanks for answering. So you're in neutral then - that's my first data point! Is this on the Saab? What drive is that?

I do have the chains, and really like them too, but sometime I get too lazy if I think I can make it down ok. Was just wondering if people put it in N or in gear.

 

[57loboy]

I had similar experience with my E38 BMW when I lived in CT. Good winter/snow tires are crucial in a car like that (or you Lexus LS). Gravity works well enough in most cases when the hill is really steep, use neutral if you feel the car being pushed at idle when it's snowy. As others have said, get the snow tires and you'll think you're in a different car.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Ok thanks 57loboy, just what I needed.

I know people questioned me posting here on dweb, but here there are at least some people that have real off-road experiences, even in passenger cars. So cheers for that! I'm not getting anywhere on my lexus forum!

 

[KyleT]

Go faster?

 

[garrett]

Never use neutral for any instance off road. Always keep a vehicle in gear no matter what the situation. Gear reduction and engine compression are your friend. If you need more momentum/speed to keep the vehicle straight use the throttle - not neutral. Also it's a lot safer to go from brakes to no brakes (engine compression/gear reduction) only than applying the brakes when you've gotten too much momentum/speed.

 

[seventyfive]

Go faster?

that is always my advice.

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[az_max]

Go faster?

That's my thinking

Never use neutral for any instance off road. Always keep a vehicle in gear no matter what the situation. Gear reduction and engine compression are your friend. If you need more momentum/speed to keep the vehicle straight use the throttle - not neutral. Also it's a lot safer to go from brakes to no brakes (engine compression/gear reduction) only than applying the brakes when you've gotten too much momentum/speed.

Even on-road I wouldn't use neutral. Just put it trans in First. Besides, can't you get a ticket for coasting in neutral, or is that an old wives tale?

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Never use neutral for any instance off road. Always keep a vehicle in gear no matter what the situation. Gear reduction and engine compression are your friend. If you need more momentum/speed to keep the vehicle straight use the throttle - not neutral. Also it's a lot safer to go from brakes to no brakes (engine compression/gear reduction) only than applying the brakes when you've gotten too much momentum/speed.

Nope sorry wrong - you don't get engine braking at 0.1 mph. Can it truly be so hard to read the actual question?:banghead: