Question

Which of these describes how you should use the brake pedal on a steep downgrade hill :

a. Light pumping action
b. Light steady pressure
c. Repeated strong pressure then release
d. With stronger pressure as the vehicle goes downhill

Answer 1

The correct method to use the brake pedal on a steep downgrade is a light pumping action to avoid overheating the brakes and maintain control by effectively managing kinetic and static friction.

Step-by-step explanation:

When using the brake pedal on a steep downgrade hill, the best method is typically a light pumping action. This technique helps to avoid overheating the brakes and losing braking efficiency. The concept behind this is known as engine braking, where mechanical energy is used to slow down the vehicle rather than relying solely on the brakes. Additionally, using light pumping helps maintain control by using both kinetic and static friction effectively. Overusing the brakes by applying repeated strong pressure could lead to brake failure due to overheating, particularly if the brakes were already warm before the descent, as the additional heat generated during descent might raise the temperature of the brake material very high.