1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 186

If you drive regularlyin steep country,or if you're planning to visit there, here are some tips that make can your trips safer and more enjoyable. 0 I Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. Theseparts can work hard on mountain roads. Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your enginedo some of the slowing down. Shift a lowergear when you go to down a steep or long hill. 0 0 Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes w l have to i l do all thework 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. 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. 0 Stay in your own lane when driving two-lane on roads in hillsor mountains. Don't swing wide cut or across the centerof the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. e As you go over the top a hill, be alert. There could of be something in your lane, like a stalled car or accident. an e You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action. If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then have poor brakingor even none going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your engine assist your brakeson a steep downhill slope. 4-24