1998 Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual - Page 197

If you drive regularly insteep country, or if you're planning to visit there, here are some tips that can 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 engine do some of the to slowing down. Shift a lower gearwhen you go down a steep or long hill. A 4CAUTION: I Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N)or with the ignition off i dangerous. Your brakes will have t s o do all the workof slowing down. They could getso hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Always have your engine running and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill. 0 A CAUTION: I you don't shift down, your brakescould f get so hot that they wouldn't work well.You would then have poor braking even none going or down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your engine assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope. Know how to go uphill. Drive the highestgear possible. in Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide cut or across the centerof the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your ownlane. As you go over the topof a hill, be alert. There could be somethingin your lane, like stalled car or a an accident. 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 these and take appropriate action. 4-24