How can we minimize the risk of brake loss while driving on a mountain road?
- It is advisable to use the brakes without utilizing the engine’s braking power.
- Correct answer: Drive in anappropriate (low) gear and avoid excessive use of the brakes.
- Don’t use the brakes much and stay on high gear.
- Do not change gears along the mountain road.
Why this is the answer
The correct answer in the official bank: Drive in anappropriate (low) gear and avoid excessive use of the brakes.
On long descents, constant braking overheats the brakes and they can lose their effectiveness, a condition called brake fade. Driving in a suitable low gear lets engine braking slow the vehicle without heating the brakes, so they stay ready when really needed. Staying in a high gear does the opposite, because it forces you to rely on the brakes much more.