Hill Descent Control system
Encyclopedia
Four-wheel-drive (4WD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles such as the Australian made Ford Territory
may have a Hill Descent Control system installed, using the ABS
braking to control the car's motion downhill, initially developed by Bosch
for Land Rover
. The system can be controlled, usually by the Cruise Control
buttons near or on the steering wheel.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) allows a smooth and controlled hill descent in rough terrain without the driver needing to touch the brake pedal. Push a button and the vehicle will descend using the ABS brake system to control each wheel's speed. If the vehicle accelerates without driver input, the system will automatically apply the brakes to slow down to the desired vehicle speed. Cruise control
buttons can adjust the speed to a comfortable level. Applying pressure to the accelerator or brake pedal will override the HDC system when the driver requires.
With Hill Descent Control drivers can be confident that even the ride down hills with slippery or rough terrain will be smooth and controlled, and that they will be able to maintain control as long as sufficient traction exists.
originally developed HDC for use on their Freelander model which lacks the low range gears usually provided on 4x4 vehicles. At the time it was derided by enthusiasts, and many claimed its set speed was too high for a controlled descent in difficult conditions. Later implementations such as the Range Rover
combine HDC with Traction Control
and low-range gears, and also have reduced the set speed to slower than walking pace for extra control.
Ford Territory
The Ford Territory is a crossover SUV built by Ford Australia and based on the EA169 platform of the Ford BA Falcon. It was released in April 2004. Its code name inside Ford was E265. It won the 2004 Wheels Car of the Year award, the reviewers praising car-like handling and practicality as reasons...
may have a Hill Descent Control system installed, using the ABS
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
braking to control the car's motion downhill, initially developed by Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
for Land Rover
Land Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
. The system can be controlled, usually by the Cruise Control
Cruise control
Cruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a steady speed as set by the driver.-History:...
buttons near or on the steering wheel.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) allows a smooth and controlled hill descent in rough terrain without the driver needing to touch the brake pedal. Push a button and the vehicle will descend using the ABS brake system to control each wheel's speed. If the vehicle accelerates without driver input, the system will automatically apply the brakes to slow down to the desired vehicle speed. Cruise control
Cruise control
Cruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a steady speed as set by the driver.-History:...
buttons can adjust the speed to a comfortable level. Applying pressure to the accelerator or brake pedal will override the HDC system when the driver requires.
With Hill Descent Control drivers can be confident that even the ride down hills with slippery or rough terrain will be smooth and controlled, and that they will be able to maintain control as long as sufficient traction exists.
Criticism
Land RoverLand Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
originally developed HDC for use on their Freelander model which lacks the low range gears usually provided on 4x4 vehicles. At the time it was derided by enthusiasts, and many claimed its set speed was too high for a controlled descent in difficult conditions. Later implementations such as the Range Rover
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a large luxury four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle produced by British car maker Land Rover. The model, launched in 1970, is now in its third generation...
combine HDC with Traction Control
Traction control
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
and low-range gears, and also have reduced the set speed to slower than walking pace for extra control.