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Question

Difficulty: EasyMountain Driving and Steep Grades

When descending a steep mountain grade, drivers should shift into a lower gear before starting down the incline rather than relying solely on the foot brakes.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True. Downshifting to a lower gear before starting down a steep grade engages engine braking, which safely controls vehicle speed and prevents the brakes from overheating.
Selecting a lower transmission gear before beginning a steep downhill grade uses engine braking to maintain speed control, which protects the foot brakes from dangerous overheating.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary hazard of long, steep downhill driving.
Continuous use of foot brakes generates extreme friction heat.
Overheated brake components suffer thermal brake fade, severely reducing stopping power.
2
Determine the proper preventative control technique.
Selecting a lower gear before entering the grade uses engine compression to slow the vehicle naturally.
Pre-selecting low gear reduces friction brake usage, keeping the braking system cool and responsive.

Key Concept

Pre-descent downshifting and brake heat management
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Mountain Driving and Steep Grades

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