1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Owner's Manual - Page 168

If you drive regularlyin 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 alsothe brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain roads. 0 I 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 alower gear when yougo down a steep or long hill. 0 Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to l l the work of slowing down. They could getso do a hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then ah i l l . have poor brakingor even none going down You could crash. Always have your engine Fanning and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill. Know how to go uphill. Drive in the highest gear possible. 0 If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so hot thatthey 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. Stay iny o u own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cu across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. 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. 0 0 You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing o no-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.