Is it safe to take automatic transmission cars(like Passo) to extreme hilly areas?

[maimoon.ahmad96]

AoA..I hope that you all are doing well..Actually, I need some sincere suggestions and guidance about the concern that is it a good choice to take a automatic transmission car(Toyota Passo 2009) to extreme hilly areas and hill tops like neelum valley or northern areas? If yes, then what are the directions and precautions to drive in those areas? Because, I took that car in hilly areas last year and ultimately, the brake discs were damaged and there were many other issues as well like suspension arms etc. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated..

[fastian04]

Use proper lower gears and engine braking. Putting full family in a 1000cc car will cause problems eventually. Main key is engine braking, people who depend on brakes ruin the brakes completely and its also unsafe as breaks heat up

[maimoon.ahmad96]

Someone told me to use L gear for coming downhill and use only D2 for climbing. is it right to use only D2 while upgoing or can use D as well?

[fastian04]

Yes right for downhill only L. For uphill, depends on the decent. U need to maintain over 3000 rpm uphill

[maimoon.ahmad96]

When shifting from D to 2/L or 2/L to D, is it required to completely stop the car before shifting? or we can shift to the Low gears without stopping?

[fastian04]

No need to stop.. just slow down to avoid huge rpm increase while moving to lower gears

[mgalaxy3]

1. Absolutely fine to take it.
2. Don't drive in D in hilly areas. Only S or its equivalent like maybe D2 or even L if it's super steep n you're super slow.
3. Naran, neelum isn't really extremely steep.
4. When coming down again use D2 or L depending on how steep it is, use minimal brakes n max low gear.

If you can climb nathia gali from abbottabad side then you can go almost anywhere in Pakistan.

Try to maintain momentum when climing. Don't come to static stop on steep climbs.

Yes for very bad potholes and offroading its not the right car. Get an SUV or mini suv ie Corolla, due to its raised height n comfortable suspension.

[muhammad.talha3001]

As others have advised use lower gear when climbing and coming back down. One more note to mention is to have your brake fluid changed every 3 years, and if you haven't done so already, have it changed now. Very few people in Pakistan change their brake fluid on time. Most people just top it up after it's reached its boiling point(which decreases as the fluid gets old)and burned off. Bad brake fluid is the number one reason for overheating brakes.

[abdullah.bin.zubiar3]

S gear non stop or when need

[mgalaxy3]

What car? If low engine power like 1000cc then fine to keep driving in S on hills (up/down road).

If road is flat drive in D.