gradeabilityn.
/ɡreɪdəˈbɪlɪti/ The ability of a vehicle to climb a gradient at an efficient speed.
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society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > [noun] > motor vehicle > qualities of motor vehicle
driveability1880
petrol consumption1902
performance1907
roadholding1921
acceleration1922
crashworthiness1948
gradeability1952
1952 Automobilist Jan. 10 Hill climbing. Per cent of gradeability. Synthetic rubber tires 4·3%... Winterized mud-snow tires 7·6%... Tire chains 23·5%.
1959 Chambers's Encycl. IX. 572/1 Even though a vehicle may have a relatively poor top gear ‘gradeability’ it must still be able to climb all ordinary road gradients with its full load on low gear.
1967 Jane's Surface Skimmer Syst. 1967–8 99/1 Characteristics..Gradeability, forward slope 60%. Gradeability, side slope 30%.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1972; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
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n.1952