When driving down a steep downgrade, you should:

When driving down a steep downgrade, you should:

• A. Use a lower gear and apply brakes gently; avoid riding brakes.
• B. Stay in high gear and brake hard.
• C. Accelerate to pass the descent faster.
• D. Move to the left lane and coast.

Answer: (C)

Controlling speed on a steep downgrade relies on engine braking and careful, gradual braking to maintain control. Downshifting to a lower gear uses the engine to slow the car, reducing reliance on the brakes and helping prevent brake fade on a long descent. After downshifting, apply the brakes gently in short pulses and release to let them cool, keeping a steady, safe speed and plenty of following distance. Riding the brakes or braking hard can overheat them and reduce stopping power, which is risky on a downgrade. Accelerating to pass faster increases your speed and makes it harder to manage the descent, while staying in a high gear and braking hard can still overheat brakes. Moving to the left lane to coast removes continued control and can invite conflicts with other traffic.

Controlling speed on a steep downgrade relies on engine braking and careful, gradual braking to maintain control. Downshifting to a lower gear uses the engine to slow the car, reducing reliance on the brakes and helping prevent brake fade on a long descent. After downshifting, apply the brakes gently in short pulses and release to let them cool, keeping a steady, safe speed and plenty of following distance. Riding the brakes or braking hard can overheat them and reduce stopping power, which is risky on a downgrade. Accelerating to pass faster increases your speed and makes it harder to manage the descent, while staying in a high gear and braking hard can still overheat brakes. Moving to the left lane to coast removes continued control and can invite conflicts with other traffic.