FIAT Sedici - Manual (Page 171)

170
HIGHWAY DRIVING
When driving at high-speed, pay attention
to the following:
❒ Stopping distance progressively in-
creases with vehicle speed. Apply the
brakes far enough ahead of the stopping
point to allow for the extra stopping
distance.
❒ On rainy days, “Aquaplaning” can occur.
“Aquaplaning” is the loss of direct con-
tact between the road surface and the
vehicle’s tires due to a water film form-
ing between them. Steering or braking
the vehicle while “Aquaplaning” can be
very difficult, and loss of control can oc-
cur. Keep speed down when the road
surface is wet.
❒ At high speeds, the vehicle may be af-
fected by side winds. Therefore, reduce
speed and be prepared for unexpect-
ed buffeting, which can occur at the ex-
its of tunnels, when passing by a cut of
a hill, or when being overtaken by large
vehicles, etc.
DRIVING ON HILLS
❒ When climbing steep hills, the vehicle
may begin to slow down and show a
lack of power. If this happens, you
should shift to a lower gear so that the
engine will again be operating in its nor-
mal power range. Shift rapidly to pre-
vent the vehicle from losing momen-
tum.
❒ When driving down a hill, the engine
should be used for braking by shifting
into a lower gear. (Do this with EITHER
an automatic or manual transaxle.)
52D078S
– Wear Your Seat Belts at All
Times. Even though air bags
are equipped at the front seating po-
sitions, the driver and all passengers
should be properly restrained at all
times, using the seat belts provided.
Refer to the “Seat Belts and Child Re-
straint Systems” section for instruc-
tions on proper use of the seat belts.
– Never drive while under the influ-
ence of alcohol or other drugs. Alco-
hol and drugs can seriously impair
your ability to drive safely, greatly in-
creasing the risk of injury to yourself
and others. You should also avoid dri-
ving when you are tired, sick, irritat-
ed, or under stress.
WARNING
Try not to hold the brake
pedal down too long or too
often while going down a steep or
long hill. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency. Failure to take this
precaution could result in loss of ve-
hicle control.
WARNING