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– if you are forced to stop your vehicle<br />
(breakdown, limited visibility,<br />
etc.) try to stop off the road. Turn on<br />
the hazard lights and, if possible, the<br />
dipped beam headlights. Rhythmically<br />
sound the horn if you release another<br />
vehicle is coming.<br />
DRIVING IN THE<br />
MOUNTAINS<br />
– Check fluid levels (oil, brake fluid,<br />
coolant) and tyre wear before driving<br />
in the mountains;<br />
– when driving downhill use the engine<br />
braking effect by engaging a low<br />
gear so as not to overheat the brakes;<br />
– under no circumstances should you<br />
drive downhill with the engine off or<br />
with the gear in neutral, let alone with<br />
the ignition key out;<br />
– drive at moderate speed and avoid<br />
“cutting” corners;<br />
– remember that overtaking while<br />
going uphill is slower and therefore requires<br />
more free road. If you are being<br />
overtaken while driving uphill,<br />
make it easier for the other vehicle<br />
to pass.<br />
DRIVING ON SNOW<br />
AND ICE<br />
Here are some tips for driving in<br />
these conditions:<br />
– keep your speed down;<br />
– use chains if the roads are covered<br />
with snow;<br />
– do not park the vehicle with the<br />
engine running for long periods of<br />
time: snow could divert exhaust fumes<br />
into the passenger compartment;<br />
– mainly use the braking effect of the<br />
engine and under all circumstances<br />
avoid braking sharply;<br />
– when braking a vehicle not fitted<br />
with ABS, reduce the possibility of the<br />
wheels locking by varying the pressure<br />
you exert on the brake pedal;<br />
– do not accelerate suddenly and<br />
avoid swerving;<br />
– in the winter, even apparently dry<br />
roads may have icy patches. Be careful<br />
therefore when driving over<br />
stretches that do not get much exposure<br />
to the sun or are lined with trees<br />
or rocks where ice might not have<br />
melted;<br />
– keep a good distance from the vehicles<br />
in front.<br />
DRIVING WITH ABS<br />
– ABS is a braking system that essentially<br />
offers two advantages:<br />
1) It prevents wheel lock and consequent<br />
skidding in emergency stops,<br />
particularly when the road does not<br />
offer much grip.<br />
2) it makes it possible to brake and<br />
steer at the same time and direct the<br />
vehicle where you want while braking.<br />
GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE<br />
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