<font color=navy>Great advice here.
We just got back from a camping trip in the Sierras, and there were a lot of winding, steep roads...
I drive a manual, so it's easy for me to downshift when need be, and shift up when I'm able.
Some things I noticed...
If it's hot, and you're going uphill, it's better to turn off your a/c
If you're not sure about driving all the curves, then take your time. The less stress, the better you'll enjoy your trip, and if you see some scenery that you want to take in, don't hesitate to stop in a turnout to take a pic, or just enjoy. (I had to do that a few times since I was the sole driver this trip)
Even though the law says that there has to be 5 cars behind you before you have to pull over & let them through, it's just courtesy to pull over in a turnout & let the car behind (even if it's just one) pass you.
I always tapped a thank you w/my horn when a car pulled over to let me pass during the day, and when it's getting dark, I'm a lot more cautious & tend to go slower (especially since we're on the lookout for deer & bears), so I tend to drive a lot slower and let cars pass me all the time.
It takes longer to reach a destination due to the curves. My ds would tell me, "It's only 15 miles," but 15 miles on a winding road takes a lot longer than here in the city... so, be sure to expect it to take longer to get to a destination when you see the mileage signs with the destinations.
A couple of years ago, I had an automatic, and drove from San Francisco to Yosemite. Going down the 140, which is steep, I could smell the brakes burning, which really worried me, so I stopped to let the car cool off. While there, a nice man gave me the same advice Rajah did -- drive in 2nd or 1st gear when going down steep grades - the engine will then adjust itself to drive more slowly, thus saving the brakes.
It's easier to see with the floodlights at night, but remember to turn them off & just use the regular headlights when there is oncoming traffic.