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
...
Other materials:
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted or corroded. If wheel
nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Some aluminum wheels can be repaired. See your dealer if any of these conditions
exist.
Your de ...
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 12 000 km (7,500 mi). The first rotation is the
most important.
See Maintenance Schedule on page 11-3.
Tires are rotated to achieve a more uniform wear for all tires.
Anytime unusual wear is noticed, rotate the tires as soon as possible, check
for proper tire inf ...
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manual transmission, it is not necessary to regularly check
brake/clutch fluid unless there is a leak suspected.
Adding fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
When to Check and What to Us ...
