How should you use the gearbox while driving on a continuous descent?
- The gearbox should be in high gear.
- Correct answer: The gearbox selector should be in a low gear.
- The gear used while driving on a continuous descent is of no importance, as long as the brakes function properly.
- The gearbox handle should be in neutral gear.
Why this is the answer
The correct answer in the official bank: The gearbox selector should be in a low gear.
On a long descent, a low gear lets engine braking hold the vehicle's speed, so the brakes are used less. Braking continuously for a long time overheats the brakes and can make them fade and lose effectiveness. Neutral or a high gear removes or weakens engine braking, so relying only on brakes is unsafe even if they work properly.