Hill Descent on 23 4Runner

I am posting this for my sister in law. She is in her late 70's and doesn't have a lot of $, but despite of that she just purchased a used late model 4 runner. The driver was to move from an unreliable Jeep to a more reliable vehicle. She is part owner in a mountain cabin that all the daughters own post her parents passing. There is a steep grade (<18%) going down into the canyon where the cabin is located. She currently uses 4L and manual 1st gear. I asked why she didn't use hill descent versus 1st gear and she responded that it sounded awful when the antilock brakes were pulsing to control the hill descent speed. So basically, she was scared enough to not use it. I am (sorry) a Ford owner and mine works flawless. I have always been blown away by setting the MPH and letting the vehicle control speed versus me riding the brake.

So here is my question - is her reflection on HDC accurate and that is just the way it is (versus my perspective with Ford) or is something wrong with her 4runner? I just don't want her to loose complete confidence in the HDC as she owns the 4runner longer versus doing something to fix it or better use it.

 

That sound is completely normal:

https://www.google.com/search?q=4ru...ate=ive&vld=cid:0fc5629c,vid:6jBnA9UNTqw,st:0

 

ABS pump firing off. It's completely normal operation and mentioned in the manual.

 

They are about the same in terms of noise. My source is using the Ford Bronco quick turn setting which holds the inside tires via brake lock. That Bronco was a POS for the record.

 

No, I don't think so. Trail turn assist is completely different. My HDC was silent. A friend told me Ford used the tranny more than other manufacturers that used the braking system, but I am not certain of that.

 

If this is on an unpaved road, and it’s steep enough to require 1st gear in 4Lo to maintain a safe speed, she is probably doing it exactly right.

The downhill assist is pretty much just a gimmick if you ask me. If you can control speed with gearing, then 4Lo is the most mechanically sympathetic manner to do it. It’s does not hurt the transmission to stay in one gear, so long as it stays at a reasonable rpm. This keeps your brakes from overheating and stay available to lightly brush off speed a little a time.

It’s not usually good practice to solely rely on brakes to maintain speed on a steep decent. I don’t remember if you can use hill decent in 4hi, but obviousjy 4hi is a marginal choice for that grade. That would pretty much rely completely on brakes in Hill decent mode.

I’d consider hill decent more for technically challenging desents, if I had a leg injury that prevented me from using my brake pedal. Otherwise, I don’t find it comfortable to be hanging on my seatbelt and handing over brake duty to a button.

 

I’ve used HDC once and as mentioned, being noisy as hell is normal.

In my case, I found 4L + 1st + brakes to be preferably since HDC wanted to go faster than I preferred at that time.

I don’t think I’d bust it out again unless heading down a long, slippery descent.

Edit: HDC only activates in 4L anyway

 

As others have said, using gearing is superior to using brakes for a steep decline. She knows what she is doing.

 

The HDC is so annoying I can't stand to use it (I agree that it's a gimmick). First gear in 4L with braking as needed is a way better solution.

 

Yeah, the Crawl Control and HDC sound like the vehicle is self destructing.

Respect to your sis-in-law for knowing how to properly drive and use the 4wd controls correctly.

She's spot on , low-low is the way to go, not relying on electronics. I never use HDC, there's really no need in a vehicle with low range and IMO it's just a gimmick.

 

Ok, thanks everyone. I will let her know she's got it right.

 

Knowing Ford your HDC probably is broken.

 

Mall Control for sure and to some degree Mall Terrain Select is all a gimmick.