If you’ll be leaving the St Louis area for a road trip, you may find yourself in the mountains with your pre-owned certified Toyota. While the smooth steering and responsive mechanics of your vehicle have impressed you as you’ve driven through Ballwin and O’Fallon, you may be thinking twice about heading up into the mountains. Here are some tips about how to drive safely in the mountains so you can enjoy the trip out of town.

When you drive your certified Toyota through the mountains, you need to be sure that it is in good repair. Take the time to check your oil and your fluids, and to start your trip with a full tank of gas. It’s harder to find services in the mountains, and your preparations could save you a lot of hassle if something goes wrong.

Be cautious when you are driving your certified Toyota. Since it’s impossible to see around a curve, many drivers hug the center line hoping for more visibility. The problem with this is that mountain roads tend to be narrower than city roads, so hugging the line can make it more difficult for the drivers in the other lane to drive safely. Use caution and good sense, and stay on your side of the road!

When you are driving in the mountains, you use a lot more power going uphill than you do driving your vehicle on flatter Missouri roads. You may need to turn your air conditioning off in your certified Toyota to get a bit more power. Also, be sure to keep an eye on your engine temperature. Chances are it will maintain a safe temperature, but since your car is working harder there is a greater chance it could overheat.

No matter what you do, be sure to keep your focus on the road. Mountain driving is more challenging than driving on flat roads, so take your time and enjoy the view!