2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 198

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 transaxle. 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. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill. Coas ...g downhill in NEUTRA- :N) or wit-fhe ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to doall 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 downa 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 helpcool your engine and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills ormountains. Don't swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. As you go over ine 'rop oi a iliii, ut: aier i. Ti lele Cuuid be something in your lane, like astalled car or an accident. 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 alertto these and take appropriate action. 4-23 If you don't shift dowl., yol...)rakes c - Id 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 assisi your brakes on a sieep downhill slope. ~ @ 9