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Difficulty: EasySkid Control and Recovery

Activating an engine retarder on wet, icy, or snow-covered roads helps maintain vehicle stability and prevents drive-wheel skids.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False — Retarders should be turned off whenever road surfaces are wet, icy, or covered in snow because they increase the risk of drive-wheel skids.
The statement is false because standard CDL safety guidelines require drivers to disable retarders on slippery surfaces; applying retarder braking force solely to the drive wheels can cause them to lock up and precipitate a skid.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the mechanical operation of an engine retarder during low-traction conditions
Identify that retarders apply braking resistance exclusively to the drive axle rather than distributing force evenly across all vehicle wheels
Understanding where braking torque is applied determines how the vehicle responds on slippery surfaces
2
Assess the impact of concentrated drive-axle braking force on slick pavement
Determine that concentrated braking torque on low-friction pavement readily causes drive wheels to lose grip, leading to a drive-wheel skid
Commercial driver regulations mandate turning retarders off in poor traction to prevent loss of vehicle control

Key Concept

Retarder Hazards and Drive-Wheel Skid Prevention on Slippery Surfaces
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Skid Control and Recovery

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