Driving Conditions - Maserati GranTurismo Owner's Manual

Driving Conditions

Before the Trip
Check the following at regular intervals
and always before long trips:
• tire pressure and condition;
• levels of fluids and lubricants;
• conditions of the windshield wiper
blades;
• clean the glass on the external lights
and all other glass surfaces;
• proper operation of the warning lights
and of the external lights.
CAUTION!
It is however advisable to perform
these checks at least every 1000 km
(600 mi) and always following the
maintenance schedule reported in
section "Maintenance and Care".
Before you drive:
• adjust seat position, steering wheel and
rear-view mirrors in order to have the
best driving position;
• ensure that nothing (mat covers, etc.) is
obstructing the pedals movement;
• carefully arrange and secure any
objects in the boot, to prevent them
from moving forward in case of sudden
stops;
• avoid heavy meals before a trip. A light
snack helps keep your reflexes sharp. In
particular, avoid drinking alcohol.
WARNING!
Beyond being prohibited by law, it is
extremely dangerous to ride inside the
boot or on the hood. In the event of an
accident, passengers sitting here are
more exposed to the risk of serious
injury. Passengers must only travel
seated in the vehicle seats, with the
seat belts fastened. Always check that
the driver and all passengers have the
seat belts correctly fastened.
Safe Driving
Although the vehicle is equipped with
active and passive safety devices, the
driver's conduct is always a decisive
factor for road safety.
Some simple rules for travelling safely
in different conditions are listed below.
Some of them will probably already
sound familiar but, in any case, it would
be useful to read them carefully.
Driving at Night
The main guidelines to follow when
driving at night are set out below.
• 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
Driving and Driver Assistance Systems
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
road 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
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