Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in these conditions include:
- Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
- Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling system, and transmission.
- Shift to a lower gear when going down steep or long hills.
WARNING!
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let
the engine assist the brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
WARNING!
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.
- Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane.
- Be alert on top of hills; something could be in your lane (stalled car, accident).
- Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
See also:
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the unexpected.” The first step in driving
defensively is to wear the safety belt. See Safety Belts .
Assume that other road users (pedestrians, bicy ...
Recreational Vehicle Towing
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the hybrid supplement for more information.
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle –
such as behind a motorhome. The two most co ...
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while driving, especially if the tires are
maintained properly. See Tires . If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if ...






