2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue Owner's Manual - Page 178

If you drive regularly in steepcountry, or if you're planning to visit there, here aresome 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 dosome of the slowing down. Shift toa lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill. Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL or with (N) the ignition off is dangerous.Your brakes will of have to do all the workslowing down. They could getso hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then have poor braking even none or 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 help cool your engine and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane 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. As you go over top of a hill, be alert. There could be the something in your lane, like a stalled car or accident. an 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. 1 If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so hot that they wouldn't work You well. would then have poor braking or none going even down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your engine assist your brakes a steep on downhill slope. 0 0 0 4-24