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When going down a steep hill should you use the engine or brakes?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Nether what you should do is just take your foot off the gas and let it roll down the hill to its destination.
My answer:When going downhill it may be necessary to slow down to maintain steering control. Using brakes only on a long steep decline can cause the brakes to heat up and fail. Any gasoline engine or a diesel engine equipped with a "Jake Brake" can provide additional braking without heating the brakes. With many automatic transmissions it is necessary to manually select a low gear. Manual transmission drivers will do this automatically.With 2WD vehicles there are additional considerations when using engine to brake in slick conditions:
Regardless of front or rear drive, it is usually best to cease engine braking before entering a curve. The regular brake and especially ABS will distribute braking more equally and are less likely to cause understeer than FWD engine braking or oversteer compared to RWD engine braking.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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Does the use of brakes on a long steep downgrade is only a supplement to the braking effect of the engine?
yes
What should you do when doing down a steep grade in a heavy vehicle?
You should brake at the top of the hill and slow down to a speed where you can change down to the next lowest gear. Anticipation is most important, as you may need to change down again to the next lowest gear. Engine braking helps to prevent overheating the brakes, and also assists vehicle stability on steep hills.
What should you do when going a steep grade in a heavy vehicle?
You should brake at the top of the hill and slow down to a speed where you can change down to the next lowest gear. Anticipation is most important, as you may need to change down again to the next lowest gear. Engine braking helps to prevent overheating the brakes, and also assists vehicle stability on steep hills.
Does It matter if you have a small engine going down steep hills in second gear?
The engine size should not matter when going down a hill, as long as you dont put it in too low of a gear and over rev your engine.
Why is the engine stall when you accelerate?
going up a very steep bend i stalled
What is the best way to control speed on a steep downhill road Brakes or Lower gear?
It depends on the length and steepness of the gradient. On a short slope, or one that is not very steep, use the brakes. But not continuously. On a long or steep slope (as in going down a mountain), the brakes could overheat and stop working before you got to the bottom, or even burn up. In this case, it's best to use a lower gear and get the engine to do the braking, keeping your brakes cool in case you need them to stop. In some extreme cases, you may find that even the lowest gears will not sufficiently slow your vehicle, due to weight, slope, or other factors. In extreme cases, a sustained high RPM in the engine can cause damage. You should therefore avoid routes which constantly tax your vehicle's limits in favor of less steep alternatives. In many areas, heavy vehicles are not allowed on the steepest sections of some highways.
Why is there vibration on braking going down a steep hill?
I could be your rotors are need to be reground. Let your brake man check out your brakes.
Should overdrive be used when going up a steep hill?
No
Should the over drive be on when driving normally?
Yes. The only times you should not use overdrive is when towing, such as a heavier trailer, (this saves overworking your transmission), and when descending steep hills, (this saves your brakes some as the engine/transmission does some of the braking as well).
Why does your Honda Odyssey shake when you apply the brakes?
You probably have a warped brake rotor. This can happen when the brakes get over heated, usually when "riding the brakes" while going down a long steep hill. Use a lower gear rather than keep continuous pressure on the brakes. The rotors will have to be replaced.
Should you change gears when driving up a steep hill on an automatic transmission 2001 Nissan Altima?
Your car should adjust to the proper gear it needs when travelling uphill. Usually you need to turn the overdrive off or shift to a lower drive gear when going downhill or towing. That will use the engine to slow the car instead of your brakes. That way they don't overheat to the point of not working.
Does steep means going higher or lower?
steep means you are going higher
