EDUCATIONAL DEPARTURE/RECOVERY ON THE RAMP. Recently, our colleague Imre Tamás wants to switch from the Suzuki Vitara to the Dacia Duster and asked how it is with the lack of the blocker but also without low (reducer). It is different, the Duster has a more atypical approach for steep departures from the ramp and in case of normal non-emergency climb it is based on initial span or normal momentum/inertia like any car. But for emergency scenarios we decided to make an internal educational film with useful sequences for those who want to learn. Why is it important to learn this detail?!... because in offroad the most dangerous scenarios are up at height, on slopes and steep inclines that can sometimes surprise any driver. And is stopped then driving back tilted for a long distance is extremely unpleasant and difficult, so you want to leave the place where you stopped. Below we go through the stages of the maneuver:
Stages:
1. The car must stand with the handbrake on. If it does not stay in the handbrake on the ramp, it is recommended to engage the reverse gear and turn to the base of the hill.
2. While stopped, gently release the clutch and accelerate for 2.5 seconds with the handbrake applied. Accelerate enough to notice the front car hood as it starts to rise up on spot.
3. With the front axle raised, gently release the handbrake, continuing to accelerate.
4. Continue to accelerate to the top making sure not to let the nose of the car slide to the side.
Mentions:
- Avoid bumps and high speed uphill as much as possible, because they reduce traction when the car jumps on them.
- If you perform the maneuver correctly and exactly as described, we guarantee that you will not affect the car's transmission. After 1000+ such departures, the car in the picture shows only signs of normal wear on the clutch and the 4x4 lock differential does not disengage prematurely. But don't forget our recommendation for MoS2 paste added as an additive to the gearbox and differentials.
- In the ramp/climb, the Duster will make such departures only with 4 wheels on the ground, any effort with 3 wheels (with one in the air, especially if it is on its back) will result in failure. You just have to let the car slide back a few meters downhill until the 4 wheels are on the ground and then try to leave recover going up from the spot.
Tire traction on the ramp:
There are four types of uphill wheel traction:
1. Span traction (acceleration with wheel slip). It offers a superior grip because the tire bites the ground much faster, it is basically a surface traction of the ground where light cars (like the Duster) have an advantage.
2. Traction with uniform and constant movement. Observed especially in cars with a reducer gear / low, practically the wheel turns easily and smoothly with the slow speed climb. It is a deep traction and allows time for the tire to enter the ground. And the Duster can keep this pace depending on the slope, but this kind of traction does not have much helping momentum and a light car will be at a disadvantage (if it starts to lose grip and stops or has no more torque to lift all its weight without the help of inertia, then it drowns the engine).
3. Stationary traction. Needed if you end up stopping on the slope by mistake, because of the bumps in the ascent route or for safety. This kind of stationary traction is also relevant because the before tractions 1 and 2 at certain angles of the ramp/climb can be higher than in stop and thus when you brake you find out that the car starts to slide downhill like a sled. That's why it's good to test the ground of the ramp before climbing with a standing start.
4. Lateral traction. There are situations when the front axle is so high that the grip of the front wheels on the ground drops dramatically, enough for the nose of the car to slide to the side and the back to stay in place. In such situations with some inattention and sliding backwards and sideways, there is a risk of rolling. That's why it's important to have a tire with good grip/resistance to side slip. We are not talking here about the ruts in the road where the lateral grip helps you not to slide into the rut/groove/channel.
I hope this post is useful for you, keep learning learning more and support us.
(*Approximately invested time - 15 hours: filming sequences 6 hours cumulated, processing 3 hours, editing 4 hours and posting 2 hour)