Pontiac G8 manual Before Leaving on a Long Trip, Highway Hypnosis, Hill and Mountain Roads

8-24 Driving and Operating

Before Leaving on a Long Trip

To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.

Things to check on your own include:

•Windshield Washer Fluid: Reservoir full? Windows clean — inside and outside?

•Wiper Blades: In good shape?

•Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All levels checked?

•Lamps: Do they all work and are lenses clean?

•Tires: Are treads good? Are tires inflated to recommended pressure?

•Weather and Maps: Safe to travel? Have up-to-date maps?

Highway Hypnosis

Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings while driving.

If you become tired or sleepy, find a safe place to park your vehicle and rest.

Other driving tips include:

•Keep the vehicle well ventilated.

•Keep interior temperature cool.

•Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead and to the sides.

•Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments often.

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.

•Going down steep or long hills, shift to a lower gear.

{CAUTION

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.