DRIVING TIPS FOR THE GRAPEVINE: ARE YOU RIDING THE BRAKES TOO MUCH? Driving on steep hills or through the mountains is different than driving on flat terrain. Working on the Grapevine our officers daily encounter the distinct smell of overheated brakes. When going down steep or long hills shift into a lower gear. Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a downhill slope can cause brake overheating and reduce brake performance. Shift the transmission into a lower gear and let the engine and transm