Advice on descending steep grades in low gear

[AzScorpion]

Lawn MM-How can you engine brake in sport mode? I thought trailer mode was the only way to engine brake.

Just manually shift is Sport mode and you'll rarely have to touch the brakes and the engine will brake for you. I've driven down 89A from Jerome, AZ - Prescott, AZ which has something like 112 hairpin curves and have rarely had to hit the brakes unless I came up on someone else driving super slow.

AZ 89A—Prescott to Cottonwood
The first thing to know about this section is that vehicles over 50 feet in length are prohibited. The road is narrow with many curves and hairpin turns as it traverses the Black Hills mountain range. The elevation change from Prescott to the top of Mingus Mountain is nearly 2,500 feet. Northbound the first two miles are on a 4% grade and then 4½ miles of curvy 6-7% grade to the top. The descent from the top of Mingus Mountain to Jerome is 7 miles of winding through 20 mile per hour curves and a few hairpins. This drive offer spectacular views of the Verde Valley and the red rocks of Sedona. Going through Jerome, AZ 89A includes a very sharp hairpin and a short, steep section. Below Jerome, the road continues on a 6% grade of 3½ miles through Clarkdale and into Old Town Cottonwood.

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[Chris M]

Just manually shift is Sport mode and you'll rarely have to touch the brakes and the engine will brake for you. I've driven down 89A from Jerome, AZ - Prescott, AZ which has something like 112 hairpin curves and have rarely had to hit the brakes unless I came up on someone else driving super slow.

I've done that one in just the truck...gotta pay attention and go slow no matter what.

 

[AzScorpion]

I've done that one in just the truck...gotta pay attention and go slow no matter what.

It is a fun drive with amazing views but you'd better be paying attention. There's no guard rails and very steep drop-offs around those hairpin turns. There's a reason you see crosses (many with motorcycle parts next to them) on the side of the road from top to bottom. I think that's one of my favorite areas in AZ (where you use to live) and the weather is just about perfect. Decent summers (warm days/cool nights) and not to cold winters with a touch of snow. I'm sure you miss it there!

 

[NotBudule2]

We have "SDR" (slow down ruts)here in WV , straddle to speed up , drop in however many wheels to slow down, works well...

 

[Chris M]

It is a fun drive with amazing views but you'd better be paying attention. There's no guard rails and very steep drop-offs around those hairpin turns. There's a reason you see crosses (many with motorcycle parts next to them) on the side of the road from top to bottom. I think that's one of my favorite areas in AZ (where you use to live) and the weather is just about perfect. Decent summers (warm days/cool nights) and not to cold winters with a touch of snow. I'm sure you miss it there!

I do.
Jeanie does not. ?

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