European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 13, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel Europe 1992 in the car because of increasing Prosperity and an explosion in the numbers of cars Highway traffic jams Are one of the most common features of driving in Europe. A amps Dave Case speeders traffic jams head Highway hazards by de Reavis staff writer driving in Europe is not the pleasure it used to he. Of its still possible to enjoy the bucolic delights of the Hack roads of Central europe1 notably Eranee and parts of Northern Italy a and in some of the Eastern countries. Rut generally driving in Europe Means battling the autobahn and superhighways. And that usually takes nerves of steel and the patience of a kindergarten teacher. There currently Are o million cars registered in Germany alone and by the end of the c entry experts expect there la lie More than 75 million vying for Road space. Ii there a any Good news Here it s that Germany seems headed toward an autobahn Speed limit. A recent poll published in the Germany weekly Der Spiegel claims 54 percent of the country favors a 1 30-Kilometer-per-hour limit. The Banes of motoring in Eastern european countries Are the Lack of major highways and the numerous construction Sites. The automobile club of Germany adar complained in a recent article on driving in the new German states about Quot Kamikaze Drivers and tailgaters speeding Down unsafe and antiquated  the culprits according to the report Are easterners with their new Western cars and westerners showing off. The problem is not limited to Germany. The Sharp increase in traffic All Over the continent is a Side effect of the fall of the Iron curtain. There Are hordes of curious former East bloc motorists exploring the Western part of their continent and perhaps even More westerners clogging the narrow roads of the former communist countries. When heading East it s always advisable to Check with automobile clubs and the embassies of the countries to be visited. Road rules can change faster than a Bow passing a  in the Alps if you re not used to driving in the mountains Here Are some tips a have the car checked thoroughly. Crossing Mountain passes puts extreme z fed w a histone of the rewarding aspects about car travel is the sometimes spectacular scent such As this Lakeside scene near Montreau Switzerland. Stress on brakes and transmissions. Brake fluid should not be More than two years old while Oil and Cooling water must be at optimum Levels. A watch dashboard gauges More than you normally would. Mountain driving Means the engine is working extra hard. A when heading Uphill avoid shifting gears on curves. They Are usually the steepest part of a climb and also Are where careful attention must be paid to Speed and steering. Shifting gears should occur just before a curve with acceleration at the Peak of the curve. A while descending avoid constant braking which causes overheating that lessens the braking function and wears o the Brake pads. As in climbing shifting a braking should occur before a curve. If brakes heat up Stop the car to allow thei to Cool. Don t use the Handbrake beaut that can Lead to distortion of the Brake drum or Brake disk there s Only one thing to do if the to travel Europe May 13, 1992