Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual: Hill and Mountain Roads

Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual / Driving and Operating / Driving Information / Hill and Mountain Roads

Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips 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 Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a long downhill slope can cause brake overheating, can reduce brake performance, and could result in a loss of braking.

Shift the transmission to a lower gear 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. This can cause overheating of the brakes and loss of steering. Always have the engine running and the vehicle in gear.

Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross the center line.
Be alert on top of hills; something could be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, accident).
Pay attention to special road signs (e.g., falling rocks area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.

Driving on Wet Roads

Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving through large puddles a ...

Winter Driving

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Other materials:

If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off and use the rocking method. See Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control. Warning ...