Cadillac 2015 - CRC manual Hill and Mountain Roads, Hydroplaning, Other Rainy Weather Tips

Driving and Operating 9-7

Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under the vehicle's tires so they actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going fast enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.

There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.

Other Rainy Weather Tips

Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips include:

. Allow extra following distance.

.Pass with caution.

.Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.

.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.

.Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tires on page 10-38.

.Turn off cruise control.

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

Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a long downhill slope can cause brake overheating, can reduce brake performance, and

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Warning (Continued)

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.

.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).