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. Mountain roads aren’t as daunting as they seem; in fact, the more intimidating the road looks, the more focused drivers tend to be. The key is to avoid fatigue while driving.

1. Gear usage. On continuous slopes, use 2nd or 3rd gear; heavier vehicles may opt for 1st gear to maintain sufficient climbing power. If you’re in too high a gear uphill and the engine starts to struggle, downshift immediately. If sequential downshifting isn’t effective, skip gears as needed.

2. If your car stalls while ascending, stay calm and immediately apply both the foot and hand brakes to stop the vehicle from rolling backward. While pressing the brake pedal, press the clutch pedal with your left foot, then restart the engine. Begin moving slowly, accelerate gently, and gradually release the clutch while also letting go of the foot and hand brakes. Once you’ve built up speed, you can continue driving safely.

3. When driving on muddy mountain roads, sudden steering or improper braking can easily cause skidding or fishtailing. In such cases, stay in the center of the road or follow the tracks of the vehicle ahead, keeping your speed between 30–50 km/h. If you need to pass another vehicle or encounter similar situations, ease off the accelerator in advance and lightly press the brake pedal. Once your speed has noticeably decreased, shift to a lower gear, steer slowly toward the roadside, and only return to the center of the road or follow the previous tire tracks after handling the situation, gradually increasing your speed.

4. Driving on mountain roads requires more physical effort and mental focus than driving on regular roads, often leaving drivers in a state of tension. Before setting off, adjust your driving posture to create a comfortable and relaxed environment. When passing through perilous areas like cliffs, avoid getting distracted by scenic views or peering into deep valleys—never let your attention wander or feel overly nervous. Focus on the road conditions and try to drive along the center or close to the mountain side. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and avoid sudden braking to prevent skidding or veering off the cliff.

5. When driving on mountain roads, keep your eyes focused far ahead and try to clearly observe the road surface and surrounding environment. Use the full width of the road to choose your route. When approaching blind curves, strictly follow the principle of “slow down, honk, and stay to the right” to avoid being caught off guard by oncoming traffic or obstacles after the turn.

6. Continuous curves are one of the defining features of mountain roads. Turning generates centrifugal force—when going uphill, the slower speed results in weaker centrifugal force, and the shift in the car’s center of gravity toward the rear reduces understeer, making the front of the vehicle easier to control. Conversely, when going downhill, the faster speed and stronger centrifugal force, combined with the forward shift of the car’s center of gravity, increase understeer. In such cases, failing to slow down effectively before entering a curve significantly raises the risk of veering off the road.

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