Mountain Driving?

Question

When going downhill on a long steep grade should I pump the brakes or shift to a lower gear...say 1st or 2nd..........automatic transmission. Should I do the same with a 5 speed trans.

Answer 1

Ok....Mountain driving is very different then standard highway or city driving. When you drive in the mountains, you need to have your vehicle inspected to make sure that your brakes are in excellent shape. Also have your oil changed and have the transmission checked as you will add alot of stress to this unit.
Ok, with that said, after finding out that everything is great, your trip is planned and you are off, try to stay on good roads as this will have an impact on you and the vehicle, there is nothing worse than going on a road with potholes and loose gravel.
Now, when you start going down the hill, if you are in an Automatic, keep it in second gear. Most transmissions will hold the revs down in this gear and if you have a 5 speed transmission that is an automatic, keep it in 3rd gear. The technology today is such that you might only have to just pull the overdrive out and again, there are cars that you will not have to touch the transmission at all....
However, on MANUAL Transmission, you DO control your speed by which gear you are in.
ALWAYS read your owners manual before you drive thru the mountains. The owners manual will always adress on what you should and Should NOT do while driving thru the mountains.
The last thing is the brake. Brakes should be the LAST thing to use to slow the vehicle down and if you do have to use them, PUMP the brakes Otherwise you will warp the rotors and in worst case, could loose your brakes do to brake fade.
Hope this helps

Answer 2

Yes you should always use the compression from the motor to help slow you down on a steep hill.

Pumping is not bad either cause holding the brakes for a long time makes them heat up; that warps the brake rotors, but more importantly if they get too hot the fluid boils anf the you get brake fade (soft and mushy pedal) and eventually no brakes at all.

Answer 3

yes you should with the 5 speed there will be a sign that says "trucks use lower gear" that is when you need to shift and only do it with an automatic if you are pulling a trailer and even then you should use light steady pressure and with the five speed go to like 4th or even 3rd just go were you fell most comfortable

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Down Shift! Be careful on the older automatics going into 2nd, you might drop the transmission half way down.

Answer 6

Down shift to a lower gear and occasionally pump the brakes. DON'T RIDE THE BRAKES!!!! This cause your brakes to heat up and glaze....not good at all!

Answer 7

definitely shift to a lower gear...you will burn up your brakes if you stay on them.....in an automatic, shift to 2nd for speeds up to 45mph, 1st if you are below 25 mph

Answer 8

don't ride your brakes,it's not a good idea. shift to a lower gear w/c is often called "engine brake." BE SURE TO MAINTAIN A GOOD DISTANCE TO THE CAR INFRONT OF YOU JUST IN CASE HE BRAKES. ALWAYS ANTICIPATE...GOOD LUCK AND BE SAFE.

Answer 9

I just floor it going uphill ... then coast on the way down, screaming like I'm on a roller coaster :)

With a 5-speed, I usually knock it down to 3rd gear ....