How to Use the Service Brake When Parking a Motor Vehicle on a Downhill Slope?
2 Answers
When parking a motor vehicle on a downhill slope using the service brake, you should apply the brake earlier than you would on a level road. When driving downhill, the vehicle's speed gradually increases due to gravity, resulting in a longer braking distance compared to a level road. Therefore, braking should be initiated earlier. Here is some relevant information: 1. Regarding uphill slopes: When parking on an uphill slope, braking should be delayed compared to a level road. This is because the vehicle's speed naturally decreases due to the slope resistance, resulting in a shorter braking distance. Thus, braking should be delayed. 2. Normal driving: During driving, the service brake (foot brake) is typically used to slow down or stop the vehicle while moving forward. Once the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the parking brake (hand brake) should be engaged to prevent the vehicle from rolling forward or backward.
I've been driving for many years, and parking on steep slopes requires extra caution to prevent the car from rolling. The standard procedure is to press the foot brake to stop the car, then without releasing the foot brake, quickly pull up the handbrake to lock the car in place. For manual transmission cars, it's best to engage first gear to let the engine help hold the car; for automatic transmission cars, simply pull the handbrake and shift to P (Park) mode, which is more straightforward and reliable. Relying solely on the foot brake to maintain parking is a dangerous practice, as it can easily lead to overheating of the brake discs, boiling of the brake fluid, and rolling of the car. Once, I forgot to pull the handbrake in a mountainous parking lot, and the car rolled several meters, nearly hitting a tree. Since then, I always double-secure my car. It's also advisable to regularly check the quality of the brake fluid, especially during the rainy season when water accumulation can affect braking performance. Parking location is also crucial; try to find a flat spot or use wheel chocks.
