Hill descent control (HDC) is a driver assistance feature found in several modern cars. Its main purpose is to enable smoother and safer drives on slopes by maintaining speed. However, the system also enhances off-road performance, especially on rough terrains.
What is hill descent control system?
The hill descent control system comes into action when a driver has to descend (go down) slowly down a steep hill. HDC controls the speed of the vehicle and makes the speed low on a downward slope without letting the vehicle lose traction. Just like other advanced car safety features, the hill descent control system automatically does what a driver would otherwise have to do manually.
If a car doesn’t have HDC, traversing downward slopes can be challenging. The driver has to get the vehicle through the steep path by downshifting and hitting the brakes frequently. This requires a lot of concentration, skill and experience.
How does hill descent control work?
HDC is a low-speed technology that can only be activated when the vehicle moves slower than 24 to 32 km/h. Unlike the cruise control system, HDC doesn’t just work above a certain speed. However, there are certain exceptions based on the auto manufacturer.
Just like traction control and electronic stability control, the hill descent control system works with the ABS hardware that pulses the brakes without any input from the driver. The system maintains each wheel’s traction by locking up or releasing them as and when needed.
HDC also prevents your vehicle from picking up more speed and crashing against a dangerous obstacle on the road when descending a steep slope.
How to activate hill descent control
The HDC control is enabled by pressing the HDC button generally found on the left side of the steering wheel, on the centre console or below the instrument cluster (the location of the HDC switch varies from manufacturer to manufacturer). When the vehicle is driving on a steep slope, the driver presses the HDC button to activate it. The hill descent control works when the vehicle is in forward or reverse gear.
HDC maintains speed using anti-lock brakes. The brakes control each wheel’s speed and the driver doesn’t need to touch the accelerator or brakes. Without any input from the driver, the vehicle accelerates and the HDC automatically applies brakes gently to slow down the vehicle speed when traversing on rough terrains or a steep road. This way, the speed remains slow throughout the descent.
Finally, when the road levels off, the driver can shut off the hill descent control and drive forward at normal car speed.
Popular cars with HDC
If you like off-roading, HDC is a feature that can make your life easier and safer. If you are looking for a vehicle with this feature, consider these popular used cars with hill descent control system:
- Second-hand Land Rover for sale in Dubai
- Used Ford Explorer for sale in Dubai
- Used Lexus LX-Series for sale in Dubai
- Used Toyota Prado for sale in Dubai
- Nissan Patrol for sale in Dubai
- BMW X5 for sale in Dubai
- Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale in Dubai
FAQs
What does hill descent control do?
Hill descent control in cars is a safety feature designed to help drivers drive down steep slopes to slow down the vehicle’s downward progress by controlling the wheel speed. Hill descent control systems can only be activated if the vehicle is below a speed threshold (mostly 24 or 32 km/h) to help ensure a safe descent.
When should I use the hill descent control?
Hill descent control was designed for and is mostly used when going down a steep slope or driving on rough terrain. This usually happens when you’re off-roading. You should not use the HDC system when travelling down the highway, it should only be used on uneven roads.
How to turn off the hill descent control?
This depends on the auto manufacturer. For specific instructions, you should read the owner’s manual but generally, you can turn off the HDC by pressing a switch or button with which you turned it on.
What is the difference between hill assist control and hill descent control?
A hill descent control system is used when traversing on steep slopes, mostly in rough terrains where your life can be at risk if the vehicle over speeds. Whereas, the hill start assist feature prevents rollback when your vehicle starts after stopping on a hill. The hill assist system keeps your vehicle in place using a combination of sensors and brakes enabling the driver to accelerate safely while the vehicle is on an incline.
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