Maserati QUATTROPORTE Owner's Manual page 203

• Drive drive carefully. Night conditions
demand more focus and attention.
• Reduce your speed, especially on
roads with no streetlights.
• Stop at early signs of drowsiness.
Continuing to drive would be a risk
for yourself and for others. Have a
rest before continuing your trip.
• Keep the vehicle at a greater distance
from vehicles in front of you than
you would during the day: it is
difficult to assess the speed of other
vehicles when you only see the lights.
• Use the high beams only outside of
densely-populated areas and when
you are sure that they will not disturb
other drivers.
• When another vehicle is approaching,
switch from high beams (if on) to low
beams.
• Keep lights and headlights clean.
• Outside of densely-populated areas,
beware of animals crossing the road.
Driving in the Rain
Rain and wet roads are dangerous.
On a wet road all manoeuvres are
more difficult since wheel grip on
the asphalt is significantly reduced.
This means that the braking distances
increase considerably and the road
grip decreases.
Some recommendations for driving in
the rain are listed below.
• Reduce your speed and keep a
greater safety distance from the
vehicles in front of you. High speed
may result in a loss of vehicle control.
• When driving on wet or slushy roads,
it is possible for a wedge of water to
build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as aquaplaning
and may cause partial or complete
loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility: slow
down if the road has standing water
or puddles.
• Heavy rain substantially reduces
visibility. In these circumstances, even
during the day, turn on the low
beams, to be more visible to other
drivers.
• Set the air conditioning and heating
system controls on the demisting
function, in order to avoid any
visibility problem.
• Periodically check the conditions of
the windshield wiper blades.
• In low grip conditions use "I.C.E."
driving mode (see chapters "Drive
Mode" in this section).
• Avoid driving with ESC OFF as this
could possibly cause a loss of control
of the vehicle.
Starting and Driving
Driving in Fog
If the fog is dense, avoid travelling if
possible.
When driving in mist, blanket fog or
when there is the possibility of banks
of fog, please consider some advices
listed below.
• Keep a moderate speed.
• Even in daytime, turn on the low
beams and rear fog lights. Do not use
the high beams.
• Remember that fog creates dampness
on the asphalt and thus any type
of manoeuvre is more difficult and
braking distances are extended.
• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle
in front of you.
• Avoid sudden changes in speed as
much as possible.
• Whenever possible, avoid overtaking.
• If you are forced to stop the vehicle
(breakdowns, impossibility of
proceeding due to poor visibility,
etc.), first of all, try to stop off of the
travel lane. Then turn on the hazard
warning lights and, if possible, the
low beams.
• Sound the horn rhythmically if you
hear another vehicle approaching.
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