WARNING: Hill descent control cannot control descent in all surface conditions and circumstances, such as ice or extremely steep grades. Hill descent control is a driver assist system and cannot substitute for good judgment by the driver. Failure to do so may result in loss of vehicle control, crash or serious injury.

WARNING: Hill descent control does not provide hill hold at zero mph (0 km/h). When stopped, the parking brake must be applied and/or the vehicle must be placed in P (Park) or it may roll away.

Hill descent control allows the driver to set and maintain vehicle speed while descending steep grades in various surface conditions.

Hill descent control can maintain vehicle speeds on downhill grades between 3 mph (5 km/h) and 20 mph (32 km/h). Above 20 mph (32 km/h), the system remains armed, but descent speed cannot be set or maintained.

Hill descent control requires a cooling down interval after a period of sustained use. The amount of time that the feature can remain active before cooling varies with conditions. The system will provide a warning in the message center and a chime will sound when the system is about to disengage for cooling. At this time, manually apply the brakes as needed to maintain descent speed.

To enable hill descent control and set the descent speed, do the following:

1. Press and release the hill descent button located in the center of the terrain management control. A light in the control will illuminate and chime will sound when this feature is activated.
2. To increase descent speed, press the accelerator pedal until the desired speed is reached. To decrease descent speed, press the brake pedal until the desired speed is reached.

Whether accelerating or decelerating, once the desired descent speed is reached, remove your feet from the pedals and the chosen vehicle speed will be maintained.

Note: Noise from the ABS pump motor may be observed during hill descent control operation. This is a normal characteristic of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.

Hill descent modes

• At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed and HDC is active, HILL DESCENT CONTROL ACTIVE will appear in the message center for several seconds.
• At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed and conditions are not correct for hill descent activation, the HDC system will be enabled, the light on the button will be on solid and HILL DESCENT CONTROL READY will be displayed in the message center for several seconds.
• At speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed, the HDC system will be enabled, the light on the button will be illuminated, and FOR HILL CNTRL, 20 MPH OR LESS will be displayed in the message center for several seconds.
• For HDC to enable, the vehicle must be in a drive gear or (R) Reverse. If the vehicle is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) and the HDC button is pressed, FOR HILL CNTRL, SELECT GEAR will be displayed in the message center for several seconds.

Refer to Warning lamps and indicators in the Instrument Cluster chapter for hill descent control messages.