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:
What to Use
Warning
Adding only plain water or some other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water and other liquids, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong mixture, the engine coul ...
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a situation like this,
notify General Motors.
Call 1-800-222-1020, or write: Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777
(English) or 1-800-263-7854
...
Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine Running (Automatic Transmission)
Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is
not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is ...
