Using the Hill Decent button during 4low mode?

Attorney58 · **Joined:** Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:32 am **Posts:** 24

Hello,
Today, I have joined a offorad touring and found the opportunity using Hill Decent Button. As far as you know, you are able to use this button only during 4low mode. During the trip, when I go down from a hill, I used this feauture and take the transmission gear 1, however, I could not realise any difference compare to 4Auto mode. Also, even if I go with 1gear and 4low mode using decent hill, I had to use brakes which was interesting. I guess the hill which we wwre going down has enough slope to use this decent hill button.

Any ideas? Where should I use this feature, the decent hill button?

Cherrie 274 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 23, 2014 5:31 pm

I'll have to get my owners manual out but it might not be functional in 4lo. I haven't had to used the hill decent button.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:43 pm

Hill descent is only used in 4-low. It uses the abs to slow the Jeep down. It has set speeds(specific to the gear, 1st, 2nd, drive) and can be adjusted with the cruise control, I believe. 4-low naturally will keep the Jeep slow going down hill.

You shouldn't have to touch the brakes, and if you do they should be hard(due to the abs kicking in). Maybe the hill wasn't steep enough to need hill descent? I've gone down some pretty steep hills in 4-low and 1st and it just crawls along.

Cherrie 274 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:54 pm

What BMxer said! I checked too.
Here's another question
Did your light stay on?
I've never ( might have forgot ) used it on mine but I did test drive one before buying. It did work.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:20 pm

I used it once, just to try it. Didn't really enjoy the noise, nor did I see a need for it. I can pretty much do what it does myself lol.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:46 pm

Bmxer524 wrote:

I used it once, just to try it. Didn't really enjoy the noise, nor did I see a need for it. I can pretty much do what it does myself lol.

Gear lower and save your brakes.At low speeds seen offroad the heavy use of the brakes(hill descent,traction control,brake lock) does not allow proper cooling of the brakes.

Once you break 50:1 crawl ratio(mechanical) or lower(higher #)with a auto trans you will see a amazing difference going down hill offroad.I'm at 66:1 crawl ratio and have to give my KJ gas to go down hill otherwise it stops itself.The torque converter itself gives a 2:1-2.5:1 reduction on top of the mechanical reduction(diff gears,trans gear,and t-case gear).

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:37 am

Definitely not a fan of riding the brakes. Never was. If the Jeep can hold itself back without the need of brakes, then why use them?

Attorney58 · **Joined:** Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:32 am **Posts:** 24

Hello everyone,

Thank you for the useful responses. I think, the hill was not steep enough, becuase I had to use brakes despite using first gear. Also, my descent hill light was functioning on screen after I used the button on 4low mode.

Anyway, I think I am gonna keep using to 4Auto mode, when I go to off-road, even when going down hills. This vehicle is awesome guys

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:02 pm

Attorney58 wrote:

Hello everyone,

Thank you for the useful responses. I think, the hill was not steep enough, becuase I had to use brakes despite using first gear. Also, my descent hill light was functioning on screen after I used the button on 4low mode.

Anyway, I think I am gonna keep using to 4Auto mode, when I go to off-road, even when going down hills. This vehicle is awesome guys

I'd keep using 4low,your trans will like you and not overheat.

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:47 pm

Bmxer524 wrote:

I used it once, just to try it. Didn't really enjoy the noise, nor did I see a need for it. I can pretty much do what it does myself lol.

Same. The noise sounds horrible. Kinda makes you cringe every time the ABS kicks in.

Sent from my iPhone 5

*edit*

Found this in the owners manual. (Page 322 on the .pdf)
https://pictures.dealer.com/tomahlchryslerdodgecllc/fcae9a724046387200fafd42e46622cb.pdf

HDC (Hill Descent Control) – 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.

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 3 mph (4.5 km/h)
D (Drive) 7.5 mph (12 km/h)
R (Reverse) 1 mph (1.5 km/h)
N (Neutral) 3 mph (4.5 km/h)

Vards · **Joined:** Thu Oct 13, 2011 6:18 pm **Posts:** 39

Ive had to use HDC twice because low 1st wasnt low enough! (CRD 5 speed auto). It was extremely steep though and i have more control with HDC then manually tapping brakes. It does sound horrible but it works. I'll also add that if you intend on using 4auto be aware that your centre diff is not locked.

vap0rtranz · **Posted:** Mon Jul 13, 2015 4:50 pm

Tried this out after we stumbled on a steep downgrade trail. I've never done it before so read the manual (TL;DR?).

Just like above: 4LO, started rolling down the hill, Press Hill Descent button, light blinked in dash, then light stayed on.

Our KK made no such noises, other than the typical shift to 4LO. In 1st, she just crawled slowly down the hill. Pressed button to disable.

We retried on a less steep grade and the light blinked then went off. Maybe I did it wrong that time or the system detects the grade and determines whether it will engage.

On another note, on the same trip we felt the Hill Start in action. We came to a steep inclined 4-way stop (2 wheel, paved), and I finally felt the system (assuming ABS) kept us in position. Again, no noise, but I'd expected we would roll back a bit (I looked in the rear view mirror to see if anyone was bumper rubbing) but the KK didn't move after I let off the brake until I pressed the gas. Kinda nice when you get into hilly terrain. (more manually reading says Hill Start works for >7% grade. Again, TL;DR

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2015 6:28 am

I used hill decent control once just to try it out. Once in 2 years of owning my KK.

When going down hills, especially steep ones, throw it in low and first gear and the transmission and engine should keep your speed at bay. Just before you start the decent, come to a complete stop. If speed gets out of control descending, bring the rpms below 1200 ish rpm and you'll be on your way.

The hill decent is a """safety""" """"marketing"""" :banghead:

feature for off roaders like us. Most don't use it because we have 2 capable feet of controlling the speed. 4 if we roll.

Using the Hill Decent button during 4low mode?

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