1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 176

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. 0 A CAUTION: Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the ignition off is dangerous.Your brakes will have to do all the workof slowing down. They could get so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then have poor braking oreven none going down a hill. You could crash. Always have your engine running and your vehicle ingear when you go downhill. 0 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. ~ A CAUTION: I Know how to go uphill. Drive the highest in gear possible. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hillsor mountains. Don't swing wide or cut across the centerof the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. As you go over the top a hill, be alert. There could be of something in your lane, like a stalled car an accident. or If you don't shift down,your brakes could get so hot thatthey wouldn't work well. You would then a have poor brakingor even none going down hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your engine assistyour brakes on steep a downhill slope. 0 0 You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples long grades, passing or are no-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding roads. Be alert to these take appropriate action. and 4-25