Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: 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 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.
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).
- Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving through
large puddles and ...
Winter Driving
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Other materials:
Hands-Free Phone
General Information without Touchscreen
To use the hands-free phone on vehicles
without a touchscreen radio, press ,
select Onstar Hands-Free Calling, then enter the desired number.
General Information with Touchscreen
Vehicles with a Hands-Free Phone system can use a Bluetooth-capable cell p ...
Electrical System Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit breakers to protect against an electrical system
overload.
When the current electrical load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and
closes, protecting the circuit until the current load returns to normal or the problem
is fixed. This greatly reduces the c ...
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain the correct working temperature.
Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
Warning
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can start up
even when the engine is not running and can cause injur ...