Safe DrivingQuestion 36 of 120
You are starting down a long, steep grade in a loaded truck. What is the correct braking technique?
a.Ride the brakes lightly the whole way down to hold a constant speed
b.Select a low gear before the descent, then apply the brakes firmly enough to slow about 5 mph below your safe speed, release, and repeat as speed builds back up
c.Shift into neutral and use the brakes only when needed
d.Use the service brakes continuously and downshift only at the bottom
Explanation
Snub braking, combined with a gear selected before the descent, lets the brakes cool between applications and keeps the engine helping to hold speed. Riding or continuously applying the brakes overheats them and causes brake fade, and coasting in neutral removes engine braking entirely and is illegal in many states.
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