1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 203

If you drive regularlyin steep country, or if you're are can planning to visit there, here some tips that 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 enginedo some of the go slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you down a steep long hill. or Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N)or with the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to l do al the work of slowing down. They could getso hot thatthey wouldn't work well. You would then il have poor braking even none goingdown a hl. or You could crash. Always have your engine running and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill. a Know how to go uphill. You may want toshift down If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then havepoor braking or even nonegoing down a hill. You could crash. Shift down let to your engine assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope. to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better. a Stay inyour own lane when driving two-lane on roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut let across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that you stay in your own lane. 0 As you go over the top a hill, be alert. There could be of something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident. a You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of or special problems. Examples are long grades, passing no-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding roads. Be alertto these and take appropriate action. , : I 4-23