Driving in the Mountains

Sustained descents and ascents, tighter curves, limited sight lines, and rapidly changing conditions. On descents, braking is continuous rather than occasional — which builds heat in both the brakes and the tires. On climbs, the engine works harder. Curves arrive without much warning on narrow mountain roads, and weather can shift from clear to fog, rain, or snow within a short distance of elevation change. Each of these requires a different approach than flat highway driving.

Use engine braking rather than riding the brake pedal continuously. On a manual vehicle, engage a lower gear before the descent begins. On an automatic, use the manual shift mode or the engine brake / grade control setting if available. Continuous use of the foot brake on long descents builds heat in the braking system, which can reduce brake effectiveness — a condition called brake fade. Reserve the foot brake for supplementary use and specific slowing, not as the primary method of controlling speed throughout a long descent.

Altitude itself has a minimal effect on tire pressure. Temperature, however, does — and mountain conditions often involve significant temperature drops as you gain elevation. Cold air reduces tire pressure. If you ascend from a warm valley to a cold mountain pass, check pressure at the top and adjust if needed, using the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, not a compensated estimate. Always inflate or deflate based on cold tire pressure readings.

Chain controls are legally mandated on certain mountain passes in some states (California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, among others) during winter storms — road signage and state DOT alerts provide real-time requirements. Winter tires with the 3PMSF certification satisfy chain control requirements in many jurisdictions; check the specific state rules before travel. Even outside of legal requirements, if you're driving mountain roads when temperatures are at or below freezing, winter tires are the appropriate choice regardless of whether snow is visibly falling.

Slow down well before the point where you'll meet and give the other vehicle as much space as possible. On single-lane mountain roads, the convention in many countries is that the vehicle heading uphill has priority, as it's harder to restart on a gradient. Make eye contact with the other driver if possible and proceed only when it's clear there's enough space. Never assume the other driver has seen you — use your horn on blind curves to signal your presence, as is standard practice on many mountain roads.

Tires first — correct inflation, adequate tread depth, and the right tire type for the expected conditions. Brakes next — a long descent on worn brakes is a genuine risk. Fuel level matters more than on flat roads, since mountain driving is more fuel-intensive and service stations are often further apart. If traveling in winter or early spring, confirm whether the route is currently passable and whether chain controls are in effect. Check your spare tire and make sure it's inflated and in usable condition.