How to drive an automatic car downhill safely?
On mountain passes with many winding slopes, there is a high potential for safety risks if car drivers do not have the skills to drive safely, especially with automatic transmission cars.
Recently, the incident of a Suzuki XL7 car falling down a 70m high cliff at De Pua slope, Dien Bien province has attracted special attention from the public. Fortunately, all 5 family members in the XL7 were safe, suffering only minor injuries and scratches.
Although the cause of the accident is unknown, the above case is also a warning to drivers to pay special attention to knowledge of safe downhill driving with automatic transmission vehicles to avoid unfortunate incidents.
Prepare before going on mountain passes
Careful preparation before driving on mountain passes is an important step to ensure safety when driving through dangerous curves.
First of all, checking the brakes is the most necessary. The braking system must be regularly maintained and work well to be able to control the vehicle speed accurately. In addition, the steering system and tires also need to be checked to ensure that they are in good condition, ensuring smooth and safe vehicle control on steep roads.
Drivers should also reduce speed before starting to go downhill, which not only reduces the pressure on the braking system but also increases the stability of the vehicle. More importantly, it is necessary to plan the route, choose the least dangerous slope and avoid slippery roads or roads with many potholes.
Should take advantage of engine braking
Using engine braking is an effective driving technique, especially when going downhill or downhill with a vehicle with automatic transmission.
When the car starts to go downhill, it is necessary to shift the transmission to L or S mode. This mode helps the car operate at high engine speeds, thereby helping to slow down the speed. Drivers call this a way to control speed by engine braking instead of relying entirely on the foot brake. At that time, the engine acts as a brake, helping to reduce the load on the disc brake system and prevent the brake from overheating, thereby extending the life of the brake and increasing safety.
In addition, engine braking also helps maintain vehicle stability when driving on slippery or rocky roads. This requires the driver to observe carefully and react quickly, especially when weather and road conditions are unfavorable.
In general, understanding and applying engine braking not only increases driving efficiency but is also an important factor in ensuring safety on mountain passes.
Limit use of foot brake
Limit the use of foot brakes continuously when going downhill to protect the braking system and ensure safety.
Using the foot brake too much can cause the brakes to overheat, reducing braking efficiency and potentially causing loss of control. Instead, drivers should use the “bounce brake” technique, which involves gently pressing the brake and holding it for a few seconds, then releasing it, then repeating the process. This technique prevents the brakes from being overworked and reduces unnecessary wear.
In addition, using a combination of engine braking and foot braking is also very effective. Adjusting to a lower gear for engine braking will help reduce the pressure required to use the foot brake.
In addition, drivers need to take advantage of the hill descent assist feature with modern cars that are equipped with this feature. Before the car moves to a mountain pass, the driver just needs to press the button to activate the feature, the car's computer will automatically calculate, support automatic braking, and maintain a fixed speed. To maintain tire traction, the braking system uses variable forces so that they do not lock up and operate most effectively.
Pay attention, observe and react quickly.
Observation and flexible reaction are two essential driving skills, especially important when going downhill. Drivers need to always keep their vision far and wide, carefully observing all movements in front and around the vehicle to promptly handle unexpected situations.
When going downhill, early detection of obstacles, potholes or sudden changes in traffic can help the driver make accurate decisions, thereby adjusting speed or route safely.
Responsiveness is not limited to controlling speed and direction. Drivers need to be ready to change their driving plan according to weather conditions, road conditions, and other unexpected factors. This requires the driver to have the experience and sensitivity to properly assess the situation and react appropriately.
Maintaining a high level of concentration and being prepared for all possibilities is key to successfully handling challenges on the road, ensuring the safety of yourself and your passengers.
