1997 Chevrolet Astro Owner's Manual - Page 199

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. A CAUTION: Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to do all the work slowing down. They could get of so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then have poor braking even none going down or a 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 transmission, and you can climb the hill better. * * Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. Theseparts 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. hot that'theywouldn't work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to your engine let assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope. 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 the topof a hill, be alert. There could be something in your lane, like stalled car or an accident. a You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks areaor winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action. 4-23