Hill Descent Control

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Jeep Patriot and 2009 Jeep Compass. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Hill Descent Control (HDC) included on vehicles equipped with the Off-Road Group (sales code AWL) works automatically once the vehicle is in the Off-Road Mode and the transaxle selector is in Low or Reverse. A green icon will illuminate on the instrument cluster indicating that the HDC is operating. Should a driver decide to back down a hill, HDC will back the vehicle down at a controlled rate of speed. The system determines when the vehicle is on a grade or level terrain by input from the acceleration sensor located in the Dynamics Module. Grade Sensing logic built into it activates the brakes only when descending a hill; the driver does not need to turn it on or off.

As the vehicle crests a hill, the brakes will automatically begin to pulsate and adjust the brake pressure to maintain the vehicle at a set speed of 3 mph (5 km/h.) The vehicle speed can be lowered by applying the brake or raised by applying the accelerator pedal to provide a safe descent down a hill. Once the driver releases the brake or the throttle, vehicle speed will ramp up or down to the Hill Descent Control limit speed.