Tips for safe downhill and mountain driving

Descending steep slopes requires not only driving skills and agile maneuvering but also a thorough understanding of the geography.

Driving on inclines requires a lot of skill, which we sometimes overlook or do incorrectly, risking damaging the vehicle or endangering our own lives.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when driving downhill, how to fix them, and how to drive safely on steep roads.

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Fundamental error

- When descending a mountain pass, the vehicle accelerates rapidly and moves by inertia. The heavier the vehicle, the greater its weight, and the faster its speed, the greater its inertia. Using a higher gear further increases the vehicle's inertia when descending a slope.

- When descending a slope too quickly, we instinctively brake. The more we brake, the hotter the brake pads become, leading to brake pad burnout and loss of braking effectiveness.

- Old, worn, or poor-quality brake pads, or those with faulty adhesive, can detach during sudden braking, posing a safety hazard.

For the reasons above, when going downhill, drivers should minimize the use of brakes or only use them in emergency situations. If not braking would lead to loss of control, then we should use the gearbox for engine braking.

How to descend hills and slopes safely

- To descend mountain passes and slopes safely, drivers need to know the actual gradient of the slope, geographical conditions, weather, terrain, and traffic volume in order to choose the appropriate gear.

- The safe speed for a vehicle when going downhill is the speed at which the driver can maintain control while descending the slope with minimal use of the brakes; in this case, we will mainly use the accelerator to descend the slope.

- Going downhill using the gas pedal means that when going downhill, we use the gas pedal and let the car move by inertia.

- On automatic transmission vehicles, in addition to the D (drive) gear, there are also numbered positions such as 3-2-1 or L, S, M used for engine braking when driving downhill.

- Whether it's a manual or automatic transmission, you should still use engine braking when going downhill.

- When going downhill and the car rolls down unexpectedly fast, immediately apply the brakes and shift to a lower gear. Alternatively, choosing a gear that's too low will cause the car to strain, the engine RPM to rise, which is harmful to the car and makes it difficult for the driver to control; in that case, you should choose a higher gear. If you choose a gear that's too high, the car will run on excessive inertia, requiring frequent braking, leading to brake pad wear and premature brake failure. Therefore, quickly apply the brakes and shift to lower gears.

- By selecting the appropriate gear for each slope, you can safely drive downhill while maintaining control of your speed and stopping when necessary, even in emergency situations.

- Driving at excessive speed downhill and then braking repeatedly is incorrect technique and can lead to dangerous situations. Similarly, using engine braking in a high gear, allowing the vehicle to accelerate too quickly before downshifting, is also incorrect, as downshifting at high speeds can cause the vehicle to stall and even damage the gearbox.

- Before entering a corner, reduce speed. As you begin to enter the corner, gently turn the steering wheel just enough to change direction and hug the curve. Adjust the steering wheel according to your driving feel and cornering speed, avoiding excessive turning that can cause the rear of the car to sway. When exiting the corner, slowly and gently straighten the steering wheel, avoiding abrupt straightening and absolutely never releasing the steering wheel to let it turn on its own or gently twist it.

- For sharp turns, hairpin bends, and steep inclines, in addition to reducing throttle before entering the curve, the driver needs to shift to a lower gear for engine braking. When entering the curve, the driver should also release the accelerator pedal, not press it down, then turn the steering wheel to allow the car to move by inertia. If necessary, apply light braking to reduce speed. After exiting the curve, gently apply the accelerator and straighten the steering wheel.

- To ensure safety when driving on mountain roads, avoid sudden and drastic changes in speed, and do not brake abruptly, but in emergency situations, you can still brake to bring the vehicle to a stop.

- When going downhill on slippery roads or roads with a lot of mud, drivers must be extra cautious, no matter how modern their vehicle is. In this situation, try to drive at a stable speed, avoid sudden steering or braking, and drive at the lowest possible speed. If the road has many puddles of mud, be even more careful.

Have a safe drive!

According to VnExpress