FIAT 600 User Manual

Page 77

DRIVING YOUR CAR

IMPORTANT On stretches of

road with good visibility, switch off
your rear fog lights; the brightness of
these lights could annoy the people
travelling in the cars behind

– Remember that fog also means the

tarmac is wet and therefore manoeu-
vres of all kinds are more difficult and
stopping distances are longer.

– Keep a good distance from the

cars in front of you.

– As far as possible, avoid spurts of

speed or sudden deceleration.

– Do not overtake other vehicles if

you can help it.

– If you are forced to stop your car

(breakdown, limited visibility etc.) try
to stop off the road. Turn on the haz-
ard lights and, if possible, the dipped-
beam headlights. Rhythmically sound
the horn if you realise another car is
coming.

DRIVING IN
THE MOUNTAINS

– When driving downhill use the en-

gine braking effect by engaging a low
gear so as not to overheat the brakes.

– Under no circumstances should

you drive downhill with the engine off
or with the car in neutral, let alone
with the ignition key out.

– Drive at a moderate speed with-

out cutting corners.

– Remember that overtaking while

going uphill is slower and therefore
requires more free road. If you are
being overtaken while driving uphill,
make it easier for the other vehicle to
pass.

DRIVING ON SNOW
AND ICE

Here are some tips for driving in

these conditions:

– keep your speed down;

– use chains if the roads are covered

in snow: see paragraph

SNOW TYRES

this chapter;

– mainly use the braking effect of the

engine and under all circumstances
avoid braking sharply;

– when braking in a car not fitted

with ABS, reduce the possibility of the
wheels locking by varying the pressure
you exert on the brake pedal;

– do not accelerate suddenly and

avoid swerving;

– in the winter, even apparently dry

roads may have icy patches. Be care-
ful therefore when driving over
stretches that do not get much expo-
sure to the sun or are lined with trees
or rock where ice might not have
melted;

– keep a good distance from the ve-

hicles in front;