CDL · Emergencies
Partway down a long, steep grade, your brakes overheat and stop working. What is your best course of action?
Correct answer: Use an escape ramp or other way out.
Answer options
- AShift down into a lower gear right away
- BPump the brake pedal over and over again
- CUse an escape ramp or other way out Correct
Why
Brakes that have faded from heat will not come back from pumping, and by then it is usually too late to get into a lower gear. Your best chance is an escape ramp or, if there is none, the least dangerous way out, such as an open field or a side road that levels off or climbs.
About this question
Topic: Emergencies License: CDL
Part of these practice sets:
Where it applies: Asked in every state.
Practice the whole set
This question is part of Mountain Grades and Brake Fade (16 questions). Take the full set and check your score.
Practice Mountain Grades and Brake FadeMore questions from Mountain Grades and Brake Fade
- Using the service brakes too much makes them overheat. What can that excess heat do?
- On a long, steep downgrade, which braking method should you use?
- On a steep downhill grade, what should do most of the work of slowing your vehicle?
- What is an escape ramp, like the one shown, meant for?
- Your brakes give out while you are going down a long grade. What is the best thing to do?
- What is true about how brakes stop a vehicle?
- On a long, steep downgrade, your speed has crept up to your "safe" speed. About how far below that speed should you brake before releasing the brakes?
- What is the usual gear rule for heading downhill in a modern truck that has a manual transmission?
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