mistervague
New member
Here’s my story of how Crawl Control saved me from my own stupidity.
I have an extremely steep, curved driveway. On the inside of the curve (which super steep) are concrete steps; on the outside is a concrete block wall.
Backing out of my garage was always a challenge with my previous car, especially in the dark as the driveway is not well lit. Over the years I kind-of got used to it with my old car but still had to do some mild acrobatics to looks out the rear window as I backed down and around. (Backup camera is not helpful.)
The driveway also never gets sun and therefore becomes covered in slimy moss in the rainy season and turns incredibly slick. I've wiped out on it just taking the trash out. One more detail: Two drain pipes drip out onto the driveway so the outside of the curve near the wall is never dry and super slick.
So I have recently acquired a 4Runner, and the 4Runner is much, much heavier than my old VW was. In fact, a couple of times recently I slid backwards -- just a few inches -- when backing down the driveway! Hmm. No big deal . . . I just angle the truck the right way and it’s OK. I only moved a few inches, so . . .
The other night, it was late, and it was pouring rain and I needed to rush out to pick someone up at the airport. I think to myself, “Self, why don’t you try backing down the outer side for once, near the wall, which is less steep, and therefore, according to science, you shall have much success and not slide.”
BAD IDEA. What I failed to appreciate is that since I NEVER drive on that side, and the two drains let out there, that part of the driveway is like GREASED ICE. I gingerly pull out . . . and start sliding backwards . . . and KEEP SLIDING, straight at the walllll oohh sh--
When I finally skid to a stop, I’m half way down the driveway, with the back of the 4Runner aimed right at the wall, with about four inches between it and my rear quarter panel. There is no way to make the turn. Can't turn -- wall is too curved. Can't move backwards - wall is wall. Can’t move forwards or I'll just slide more. Can’t get out of the car. Can’t call for help. Can’t do anything other than accept the fact that I’m about to scrape aaaalllll the way down this wall and utterly savage my brand new TRD Pro.
I decide to . . . RTFM. Find “Crawl Control.” OK . . . simple enough. Deep breath, throw it in 4LO . . . good . . . Select terrain. Um, mud / sand? Sure. Select Crawl Control speed. One? Let's go with one. Take. foot. off. brake.
Damn thing rolls straight up the hill like it’s on a dry runway on a bright summer day. Not one millimeter of wheel slippage. Nothing. Just zooooop, done. It was freaking. amazing. Throw it in 4H, back down the correct way staying away from the Wall of Death, back to 2H, and off to the airport.
I love this car.
And this weekend I’m power-washing the driveway.
I have an extremely steep, curved driveway. On the inside of the curve (which super steep) are concrete steps; on the outside is a concrete block wall.
Backing out of my garage was always a challenge with my previous car, especially in the dark as the driveway is not well lit. Over the years I kind-of got used to it with my old car but still had to do some mild acrobatics to looks out the rear window as I backed down and around. (Backup camera is not helpful.)
The driveway also never gets sun and therefore becomes covered in slimy moss in the rainy season and turns incredibly slick. I've wiped out on it just taking the trash out. One more detail: Two drain pipes drip out onto the driveway so the outside of the curve near the wall is never dry and super slick.
So I have recently acquired a 4Runner, and the 4Runner is much, much heavier than my old VW was. In fact, a couple of times recently I slid backwards -- just a few inches -- when backing down the driveway! Hmm. No big deal . . . I just angle the truck the right way and it’s OK. I only moved a few inches, so . . .
The other night, it was late, and it was pouring rain and I needed to rush out to pick someone up at the airport. I think to myself, “Self, why don’t you try backing down the outer side for once, near the wall, which is less steep, and therefore, according to science, you shall have much success and not slide.”
BAD IDEA. What I failed to appreciate is that since I NEVER drive on that side, and the two drains let out there, that part of the driveway is like GREASED ICE. I gingerly pull out . . . and start sliding backwards . . . and KEEP SLIDING, straight at the walllll oohh sh--
When I finally skid to a stop, I’m half way down the driveway, with the back of the 4Runner aimed right at the wall, with about four inches between it and my rear quarter panel. There is no way to make the turn. Can't turn -- wall is too curved. Can't move backwards - wall is wall. Can’t move forwards or I'll just slide more. Can’t get out of the car. Can’t call for help. Can’t do anything other than accept the fact that I’m about to scrape aaaalllll the way down this wall and utterly savage my brand new TRD Pro.
I decide to . . . RTFM. Find “Crawl Control.” OK . . . simple enough. Deep breath, throw it in 4LO . . . good . . . Select terrain. Um, mud / sand? Sure. Select Crawl Control speed. One? Let's go with one. Take. foot. off. brake.
Damn thing rolls straight up the hill like it’s on a dry runway on a bright summer day. Not one millimeter of wheel slippage. Nothing. Just zooooop, done. It was freaking. amazing. Throw it in 4H, back down the correct way staying away from the Wall of Death, back to 2H, and off to the airport.
I love this car.
And this weekend I’m power-washing the driveway.
layball:
