1994 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 142

0 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. Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hillsor mountains is different from driving inflat or rolling terrain. If you drive regularlyin steep country, or if you're planning to visit there, hereare some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. 0 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. These parts can work hard on mountain roads. 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. In hilly terrain, you may want to switch to the "PERFORMANCE" mode for better performance. Stay in your ownlane 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 you? own lane. As you go over the top ofa hill, be alert. There could be something in your lane, like a stalled car or'an accident. You may see highway signs on mountains that warnof 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. 141 ...