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Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
• Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
• Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
• Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{ CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the brakes
could get so hot that they would
not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash.
Shift down to let the engine assist
the brakes on a steep downhill
slope.
{ CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down and they
could get so hot that they would
not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash.
Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear when going
downhill.
• Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
• Top of hills: Be alert — something
could be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
• Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 32°F
(0°C) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently
so traction is not lost. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels
to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even
less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the
drive wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-13