Hill And Mountain Roads - Saturn 2009 OUTLOOK Owner's Manual

4-14 Driving Your Vehicle

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.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
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.