Famous mountains and rivers are great destinations for road trips, but driving on mountain roads—surrounded by cliffs, with deep gullies, steep slopes, numerous sharp turns, and rugged terrain—demands not only a well-maintained vehicle but also solid driving skills to ensure safety. In reality, mountain roads aren’t as terrifying as they seem; the more daunting they appear, the more focused drivers tend to be, so the key is to avoid fatigue while driving.
1. Driving on mountain roads requires greater physical effort and keeps drivers in a constant state of alertness. Before setting off, adjust your seating position to create a comfortable and relaxed driving environment. When passing through perilous areas like cliffs and steep drops, avoid getting distracted by scenic views or peering into deep ravines—never let your focus waver or nerves take over. Stay attentive to road conditions and stick to the center or the side closer to the mountain. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and never brake abruptly to prevent skidding or veering off the cliff.
2. Maintain a long-range view while driving on mountain roads, keeping both the road ahead and roadside conditions in clear sight. Make the most of the road width to choose your route. When approaching blind curves, strictly follow the rule of “slow down, honk, and stay to the right” to avoid sudden encounters with oncoming traffic or obstacles after the turn.
3. Continuous winding roads are a hallmark of mountain driving. Taking turns generates centrifugal force: when going uphill at slower speeds, this force is weaker, the vehicle’s center of gravity shifts rearward, reducing understeer and making the front end easier to control. Conversely, downhill driving increases speed and centrifugal force, shifts the center of gravity forward, and intensifies understeer. Without effective deceleration before entering a curve, the risk of veering off the road rises significantly.
4. Gear usage. On typical continuous slopes, use 2nd or 3rd gear—even 1st gear for heavier vehicles—to maintain sufficient climbing power. If you’ve chosen too high a gear uphill and the engine loses power, downshift immediately. If sequential downshifting fails, skip gears if necessary.
5. If your car stalls while ascending, stay calm: apply both the foot and hand brakes simultaneously to prevent rollback. Depress the brake pedal while pressing the clutch, then restart the engine. Gradually accelerate, ease off the clutch, release both brakes, and press the accelerator firmly to continue moving forward.
6. On muddy mountain roads, abrupt steering or improper braking can cause skidding or fishtailing. In such cases, drive along the road’s center or follow existing tire tracks, keeping speed between 30–50 km/h. If encountering oncoming traffic, ease off the accelerator and gently brake to reduce speed before shifting to a low gear. Carefully steer toward the roadside, handle the situation, then return to the center or tire tracks and gradually accelerate.