1996 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 172

If you drive regularlyin steep country, or if you're planning t'o visit there, here are some tips can make that your trips safer and more enjoyable. !Keepyour vehicle in good shape. Check dl fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. These parts can work hardon mountain roads. Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or dvith the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down. They could getso hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then haxe poor braking or even none goingdown a hill. You could crash. Always have your engine running and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill. Know Bow to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your engine do some the of slowing down.Shift to a lower gear whenyou go down a steep orlong hill. Know how to go uphill. Drive in the highest gear possible. If you don't shiftdown, your brakes could get so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then have poorbraking or even none going ddwn a hill. You could crash. Shiftdown to let jour engine assistyour brakes on a steep. downhill .. slope. Stay in your own lane when drivingon two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide cut or across the centerof the road. Driveat speeds thatlet you stay in your own lane. As you go over the topof a hill, be alert. There could be something in your lane,like a stalled car or an accident. 0 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 theseand take appropriate action.