Final answer:
Shifting into a lower gear and applying light pressure can help dry out wet brakes by generating heat through friction, similar to the engine braking technique used by truck drivers. This process converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, much like hybrid cars that convert decelerating mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
To dry out wet brakes, the common approach is to apply light pressure on the brakes while driving to generate heat through friction, which helps evaporate any moisture. However, this question specifies the use of a heater or shifting into a lower gear. Turning on a heater would not dry out the brakes as it does not directly affect the brakes' temperature.
Conversely, shifting into a lower gear and maintaining light pressure can be effective, as it can create enough heat through friction to evaporate moisture. This is similar to the concept of engine braking, which is a technique used by truck drivers to slow down by using the engine's resistance, thereby avoiding the overheating of brakes during long descents.