A method for controlling a hydraulic control system that includes a variable pressure relief valve and may include steps for calibrating the hydraulic control system. The hydraulic control system may be calibrated by: controlling, with the controller, the variable pressure relief valve to move to a fully open position, increasing, with the pump, a fluid pressure upstream of the variable pressure relief valve, controlling, with the controller, the variable pressure relief valve to move from the fully open position toward a fully closed position by adjusting a control signal supplied to the variable pressure relief valve, monitoring, with the controller, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and recording, with the controller, a parameter of the control signal supplied to the variable pressure relief valve when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor reaches a target pressure.