Top of the World: 5 High Altitude Driving Tips You Should Know

Top of the World: 5 High Altitude Driving Tips You Should Know

Driving can be an experience to all of us at the best of times, but when you take your car or truck off the standard roads and into the mountains of other high-altitude areas, the experience can really turn on its head.

However, with the right knowledge and know-how, driving in the sky becomes no different to driving sea-level, except from the odd little changes to make sure you’re aware, in control and safe. Today, we’re going to explore five of the top driving tips you need to know to help you traverse any high-altitude location.

#1 – Make Sure You Have Horsepower

Horsepower refers to the power that your vehicle has, and when you get up in the mountains, depending on how steep it is, you’re going to need all you can get.

When you’re tackling some of the steeper slopes or need to climb a hill steadily, if you can have access to the greater horsepower, it will do you a world of good and make your experience a whole lot easier!

#2 – Be Courteous on the Road

There’s an unwritten but obvious mountain road etiquette no matter where you go in the world, and it’s vital that you follow it for reasons of safety and kindness. For example, if a driver ahead is having a hard time navigating a certain area, you need to back away and wait, giving them all the space they need.

The best way to remember this is to think about how you would want other drivers to treat you. Don’t try and barge your way past people or overtake; just be patient.

#3 – Avoid Altitude Sickness

Not only is it important to get the right vehicle and drive it in the right way, but it’s also vital that you as the driver are in top driving form. This means making sure you drink lots of water and climbing altitudes steadily as to avoid altitude sickness.

If you feel yourself feeling lightheaded or in any way sick, this could be a sign that altitude sickness is coming, so make sure you’re pulling over and taking your time to check in with how you feel. It’s far safer to pull over and let it pass than it is to try and pull through and potentially putting yourself and everyone else in danger.

#4 – A Continuous Gear

Regardless of whether you’re driving an automatic or a manual car, you’ll need a car that can run consistently in a low gear while you’re tackling the hills and steep areas. Not only will this help to maintain power, but it will also give you more control over the vehicle to keep you on track.

This is also ideal in case your wheels lose traction and you start to slip. A lower gear will help you maintain grip and drive to help you overcome the obstacle.

#5 – Check Your Car

Before you set off from your journey, make sure you’re checking your car over to ensure it’s in the best working order. This means servicing it, checking the brakes, tires, making sure you have spare tires and have a 

roadside emergency pack on board.

Sometimes, it can be better to lighten up your vehicle, so you can drive it easier. If you need to transport anything, it might be better to use a service like Altitude Hauling who can help.

Summary

The most important thing to remember while driving at high altitudes is safety. Always make sure you’re alert and focused as you drive and you’re aware of what other drivers are doing in order to have the best experience.