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Question

Difficulty: MediumIce and Snow Conditions

On a journey where road surfaces are icy, you are about to negotiate a steep downhill gradient. What should you do to stay in full control of your car?

  1. A
    Press the clutch pedal down and coast in neutral to prevent engine torque from causing wheelspin.
  2. Reduce your speed before starting downhill, select a low gear, and avoid harsh braking.Answer
  3. C
    Maintain your normal cruising speed and apply the footbrake continuously throughout the descent.
  4. D
    Shift into the highest practical gear and apply firm, sudden pulses of the footbrake if speed builds up.

Answer

Reduce your speed before starting downhill, select a low gear, and avoid harsh braking.
According to the Highway Code, when driving down a steep hill in icy or snowy conditions, you should reduce your speed before starting the descent, choose a low gear, and avoid sudden or harsh use of the brakes. Selecting a low gear utilizes natural engine braking to retard the vehicle's speed, keeping the road wheels turning and maintaining vital steering control without locking the tyres.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the downhill gradient ahead and reduce road speed before reaching the brow of the hill.
The vehicle enters the slope at a safe, manageable speed without requiring abrupt deceleration on the decline.
Braking hard on a downward icy slope will easily break tyre adhesion and initiate a skid.
2
Engage a low gear before beginning the descent.
Engine compression braking naturally holds back the vehicle's momentum.
Using engine braking in a low gear limits acceleration caused by gravity without locking the road wheels.
3
Descend steadily while keeping footbrake applications gentle and progressive if needed.
Tyre grip is maintained and the vehicle remains fully steerable throughout the descent.
Harsh steering or heavy braking on compacted ice instantly overcomes available friction.

Key Concept

Controlling vehicle speed on steep icy descents using low gear selection and engine braking
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Ice and Snow Conditions

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