Vehicle Controls

Why should you select a lower gear before a long, steep descent?

South African learner's licence practice question. Difficulty: medium.

Answer: Riding the brakes down a long descent overheats them until they fade. A lower gear lets the engine do the work.

  1. A. To save fuel
  2. B. So engine braking helps control speed and the brakes do not overheat - correct
  3. C. To make the engine quieter
  4. D. It is not necessary in a modern car

Explanation

Riding the brakes down a long descent overheats them until they fade. A lower gear lets the engine do the work.

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