What do emergency braking and engine braking mean?
2 Answers
Here is the relevant introduction to emergency braking and engine braking: 1. Emergency braking: Emergency braking, also known as emergency stop, is the vehicle's secondary braking system, used when the primary braking system fails suddenly during driving. For vehicles using compressed air, since the rear axle employs a dual-chamber brake air chamber, the parking brake simultaneously serves as the emergency brake. Some vehicles use the rear axle brake as the hand brake, which also functions as the emergency brake. 2. Engine braking: Engine braking refers to lifting the accelerator pedal without depressing the clutch, utilizing the compression resistance, internal friction, and intake-exhaust resistance generated by the engine's compression stroke to create a braking effect on the drive wheels. Engine braking fully utilizes the engine's drag to control the vehicle speed. This method is most commonly used in mountainous areas, especially when descending large mountains or steep slopes. Frequent use of the brake can cause it to overheat, leading to reduced braking efficiency.
As a veteran taxi driver with over a decade of experience, let me tell you that emergency braking is a life-saving maneuver where you stomp the brake pedal to the floor—like when a dog suddenly darts into the road, and you slam on the brakes to stop the car immediately. Engine braking, on the other hand, is much gentler, mainly used when descending long slopes. You downshift to a lower gear, say second gear in a manual, letting the higher engine rpm drag down the speed, so you don't have to constantly brake and avoid overheating the brake pads. Both methods have their place: the former for emergencies to save lives, the latter for everyday driving to preserve your brakes. The key is knowing when to use which—that's what keeps you safe on the road.
