On steep hills, what should you do to prevent brake overheating?

On steep hills, what should you do to prevent brake overheating?

• A. Increase speed and shift to a higher gear
• B. Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
• C. Rely on the brakes alone
• D. Coast in neutral

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to use engine braking to control speed on downhill grades, which protects the brakes from overheating. Reducing your speed and shifting to a lower gear increases engine resistance, helping to slow the vehicle without overworking the brake system. This keeps brake temperatures down and reduces the risk of brake fade. Relying on the brakes alone would heat them up quickly, making them less effective. Coasting in neutral removes engine braking entirely and reduces control over the vehicle, and is unsafe or illegal in many situations. Shifting to a higher gear would lessen engine braking and force you to rely even more on the brakes.

The main idea is to use engine braking to control speed on downhill grades, which protects the brakes from overheating. Reducing your speed and shifting to a lower gear increases engine resistance, helping to slow the vehicle without overworking the brake system. This keeps brake temperatures down and reduces the risk of brake fade.

Relying on the brakes alone would heat them up quickly, making them less effective. Coasting in neutral removes engine braking entirely and reduces control over the vehicle, and is unsafe or illegal in many situations. Shifting to a higher gear would lessen engine braking and force you to rely even more on the brakes.