What are the consequences of continuously using the service brake on a long downhill slope?

[Samuel]

Continuously using the service brake on a long downhill slope can cause the brake temperature to rise, leading to a sharp decline in braking effectiveness. Here are the consequences of continuously using the service brake on a long downhill slope: 1. If the brakes are continuously applied on a long downhill slope, the brake pads will overheat, resulting in reduced braking force. 2. There is a risk of losing braking ability, leading to brake failure. Therefore, it is recommended to use a lower gear and employ engine braking on long downhill slopes. Here is an introduction to engine braking: 1. Engine braking refers to lifting the accelerator pedal without depressing the clutch, utilizing the compression resistance generated by the engine's compression stroke. This creates internal friction and intake/exhaust resistance, which act as braking forces on the drive wheels. 2. Engine braking is essentially "coasting in gear"—keeping the gear engaged without supplying fuel. In this state, the engine no longer provides traction to the vehicle. Instead, the rotation of the wheels drives the transmission system, and the idling engine generates a counteracting resistance. The higher the gear, the less resistance the engine exerts on the vehicle, and vice versa.