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- Page 188

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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.

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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.

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Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.

CAUTION:

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 steep 
downhill slope.

CAUTION:

Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) 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 would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

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Know how to go uphill. Drive in the highest 
gear possible.

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Stay in your own lane when driving on two

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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.

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As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be 
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

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You may see highway signs on mountains that warn
of special problems. Examples are long grades,
passing or no

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passing zones, a falling rocks area or

winding roads. Be alert to these and take 
appropriate action.