Fleetwood 1998 American Tradition Owner's Manual page 70

ON ThE
ROAd
To use the engine as a braking force, select the next lower gear.
If the motor home is exceeding the maximum RPM for this
gear, use the service brakes to slow down. When a lower speed
is reached, the transmission Electronic Control Unit (ECU) will
automatically downshift the transmission. Engine braking
provides good speed control for going down grades. When the
motor home is heavily loaded, or the grade is steep,
preselection of a lower gear prior to the grade may be desirable.
Gem' preselection means the selection of a lower gear to
match the driving conditions you encounter or expect to
encounter. Preselection will give you better control on slick or
icy roads and on downgrades. Downshifting to lower gears
increases engine braking. The selection of a lower gear often
prevents cycling between a gear and the next higher gear on a
series of short up-and-down hills.
Mountain driving or desert temperatures can put extreme
demands on drive train components. Under extreme heat
conditions you may need to turn off the vehicle air conditioner
to improve engine and transmission cooling.
Be aware of the extra height of your motor home. Check for
low hanging tree branches or other obstmctions whenever you
drive or park. Avoid low overhangs when pulling in for ser-
vice. Always check overhead clearances of overpasses and
bridges. This may be particularly important
if
you drive with
the overhead vents open or
if
the 1Il0tor home is equipped
with a roof ail' conditionel; roof rack, CB or TV/radio an-
tenna.
Before leaving on a trip, check your route. Some tunnels
prohibit motor homes with LP gas systems.
When parking parallel to a curb, be sure to allow for poles or
obstmctions as the front and rear portions of the motor home
swing wider than an automobile. When parking on an incline,
turn the front wheels into the curb in the direction of the roll
to aid the parking brake. When parking, always shift the
transmission to N and set the parking brake.
USiNG rifE ENGiNE
TO
Slow
THE
MOTOR HOME
.II
NOTE
Although your motor
home is equipped with
power steering, the front
wheels may be difficult to
turn when at a dead stop.
When maneuvering in
some close situations,
give yourself some room
to move either forward or
backward. The vehicle
has to be in motion for the
front wheels to be turned
with ease.
WARNING
Do not park or idle the
motor home over com-
bustible materials such as
tall grass or dried leaves.
Combustible materials
may catch fire from the
hot exhaust gases, soot
or sparks that could es-
cape through corrosion
holes or cracks. This is
particularly important if
the exhaust system has
not been properly
maintained.
AMEnicAN TRAdiTioN - CopyniqllT 1997, FlEETWood ENTERpnisES, INC. All RiqlITS RESERVEd.