European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 24, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ski Europe Mountain driving by Randy Barnett Auto editor if you plan to do a lot of skiing this Winter and if you Don t go on Tours then driving in the mountains will obviously prove a necessity. And for Mountain driving you need Good tires and a set of chains. Your car of course should be in top shape not Only for Mountain driving but for All Winter conditions. If you own a four wheel drive off Road vehicle or All wheel drive Sedan or sports car so much the better when it comes to heavy Snow and driving up the mountains. But no matter what Type of vehicle you own it is a Good idea to have a set of chains in the trunk and know How to mount them before heading out for the ski areas. On Many Mountain roads in Europe authorities Stop cars in critical areas unless they have chains. If you live in real Snow country then equipping your car with Winter tires or Snow tires is a Good idea. Some people regardless of where they live have Winter tires mounted in Early autumn. Other car owners get by through the Winter with Normal radial ply tires Good tread is essential of course while the All weather radials designed for year round use Are becoming More and More popular. If you should opt for Winter tires you should buy a set of four some european countries require four and All car makers recommend four. In Germany however Usa eur plated cars Are allowed to get by with just two Winter Snow tires but they must be mounted on the wheels that churn out the Power a on the rear wheels of a rear wheel drive car and on the front wheels of a front wheel drive car. The same Rule applies for chains. The cafes garages in Europe sell chains of All sizes and Snow tires also May be purchased at cafes garages or ordered if they Are not in Stock. For carrying skis and ski poles on sedans roof mounted ski Racks Are still the most popular but More and More cars Are arriving on the Market with Quot Interior  this involves an opening Between the trunk and the rear seat. When not in use the opening is covered by the rear Arm rest. Some sedans also have Quot ski sacks Quot based on this design the skies housed by a sack that extends onto the rear seats. When driving in the mountains be certain that your car s engine Cooling system tires and brakes Are All in Good shape. It s obvious that Good brakes Are vital in /.eft, ice Stush and Snow Are among the hazards skiers May face on their Way to the slopes. Below some cars now come equipped with internal ski storage space eliminating the need for a ski rack. The mountains but Don t forget to let your engine help those brakes. Never depend on the brakes alone on Steep downhill stretches and generally speaking try to use your brakes sparingly. Whether your car has an automatic or a manual transmission drop Down a gear or More when descending so that the engine can team up with the brakes to slow the car. If you do it right you la be using engine braking alone in Many Mountain sections. And Don t forget the Basic Rule of Mountain driving Quot the car coming up the Mountain has the right of  october 24, 1990