Saturn 2009 VUE Hybrid - Manual (Page 200)

Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced
by your dealer/retailer before
departing.
Things to check on your own
include:
• Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
• Wiper Blades: In good shape?
• Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All
levels checked?
• Lamps: Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
• Tires: Are treads good? Are tires
inflated to recommended
pressure?
• Weather and Maps: Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving. If
you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
• Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
• Keep interior temperature cool.
• Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
• Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
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.
• Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{ CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
4-14 Driving Your Vehicle