GMC 1993 Safari Owner's Manual page 191

Hi//
and Mountain Roads
AM470001
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling
terrain. 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.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. 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.
* If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so hot that they
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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 steep downhill slope.
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