class=”sc-29f61514-0 jbwksb”>
Preparation is everything
You should prepare yourself before every car journey. However, if you go to the mountains, good preparation is half the battle. Plan your route as precisely as possible. Especially when it comes to foreign roads. Check the planned route to see if all sections are truly passable (there are seasonal variations, especially in transit passes) and what the surface is. For example, some bottlenecks may not be overcome with a mobile home. Driving uphill and downhill puts a lot of strain on the car as well as the driver. So make sure you’re in shape and that your car is clean and roadworthy. You can check the tire pressure and oil level before you hit the road. If you are planning another trip, it is recommended that you have the vehicle checked by a mechanic before setting off.
tire gives tire
As mentioned earlier, the right tire pressure and of course the whole tire play an important role on longer car journeys. Optimal handling on narrow and steep mountain passes that may even be covered in snow is even more important than driving on flat terrain. The correct tire pressure, recommended by the automaker, can be found on the driver’s door frame or on the fuel filler cap in almost every car. You can inflate car tires to the specified value at almost any gas station. Also check if your tires have enough tread for the upcoming ride. And in winter, of course, it is worth taking snow chains with you.
let the engine run
We learned in the driving school: At high engine speeds, you have to change gears. However, forget about it when you’re on the mountain. Climbing a hill in high gear at low revs gives your car the same feeling as a bike in top gear. Overloading the motor increases the risk of overheating. So drive in low gear: A speed of 3000 rpm is perfectly normal in the mountains. The same is true when driving downhill: a lower gear helps you keep your vehicle’s speed constant with a system called engine braking, without the need to brake constantly.
protect the brakes
To protect the brakes, as mentioned earlier, when driving downhill it helps to shift to a lower gear and let the engine brake work. If you keep your foot on the brake pedal while driving downhill, you risk overheating the brake discs, which can result in reduced braking performance. If engine braking alone is not enough, it is better to brake shorter and harder during a long downhill ride so you can release the pedal again and cool the brake discs. Some cars have automatic uphill or downhill driving aids. These prevent back slip and protect the clutch.
Drive with foresight
When driving through valleys or high mountains with narrow bends, you should have as wide a field of view as possible. Drive with forethought to spot cyclists, motorcyclists or walkers early. Drive concentrated and never take corners too fast – it’s better to take ten minutes longer for the transition than to have an accident. In addition, the traffic rules of the relevant country apply in the mountains. Meet with them to prepare well. The most important rule when driving through narrow spaces: Uphill vehicles always take priority. You can also use common sense depending on the situation. For example, if a heavily loaded truck is coming down a slope, it’s just polite to give the truck the right of way (even if the law is on your side). In general: Be forgiving and drive carefully – that way your next mountain tour in the car won’t turn into a horror ride and you can really enjoy it.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
