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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're planning to visit there,
here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
0
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. These parts can work hard
on mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this:
let your engine do some of the slowing down. Don't make your brakes
do it all. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill.
That way, you will slow down without excessive use of your brakes.
<
A
CAUTION:
. r
S<*.
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so hot that they
'+--*
wouldn't work well. You would then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your
engine assist your brakes on
a
stef
downhil' lope.
-
-
i .
. * $
Coasting downhill in "N" (Neutral) or with the ignition
off
is
dangerous. Your brakes will have to do all the work of slowing
down. They could get so hot that they wouldn't work well. You
could crash. Always have your engine running and your vehicle
in gear when you
go
downhill.
0
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to a lower gear.
The lower gears help cool your engine and transaxle, and you can
climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or
mountains. Don't swing wide or cut across the center of the road.
Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. That way, you won't
be surprised by a vehicle coming toward you i n the same lane.
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