Is it allowed to turn off the engine when driving a small car down a steep slope?
2 Answers
It is not allowed to turn off the engine when driving a small car down a steep slope, as this operation poses significant safety hazards. Consequences of coasting with the engine off: Coasting with the engine off will result in the loss of brake assistance and engine braking force, relying solely on the friction between the brake pads and brake discs for braking. This can easily cause the brake pads to overheat, leading to a loss of braking effectiveness. Additionally, the power steering pump will also fail, resulting in the loss of steering control, creating a dangerous situation with neither steering nor braking. Correct way to descend a steep slope: When descending a steep slope, use engine braking. For manual transmission cars, shift into 1st or 2nd gear, and for automatic transmission cars, shift to L gear. At the same time, avoid pressing the brake pedal for extended periods.
Once I was driving a manual transmission car down a steep mountain road. The slope was particularly steep, and the engine stalled when I accidentally released the throttle. Instantly, the brake pedal became as hard as a rock, and the car started accelerating downhill. I desperately stomped on the brakes and barely managed to stop, almost rear-ending the car in front. After getting home and researching, I learned that once the engine stalls, the brake booster system fails, leaving you to rely solely on leg strength to control the car—extremely dangerous. Now I’ve learned to be smarter: every time I go downhill, I shift to second gear and use engine braking along with the brakes to maintain stable speed. Driving requires constant vigilance—stalling on a downhill slope is absolutely unacceptable. A small mistake can lead to disaster, so safe driving is the top priority.
