What happens when using the service brake continuously on a long slope?
2 Answers
Continuously using the service brake on a long slope can lead to the following situations: the temperature of the brake increases, causing a sharp decline in braking effectiveness. It can also cause the brake pads to overheat, resulting in reduced braking force. In severe cases, it may lead to a complete loss of braking ability, causing brake failure. Therefore, when descending a long slope, it is advisable to use a lower gear and employ engine braking. If you can clearly feel severe malfunction symptoms in the car, for the safety of both the passengers and the vehicle, it is recommended not to continue driving. Brake system failures are usually accompanied by symptoms such as brake failure, poor braking, brake pulling, or uneven braking. Without effective braking, there is no safety guarantee, and immediate inspection and repair are necessary.
Oh my, let me tell you, never keep stomping on the brakes continuously when driving down long slopes! I learned this the hard way last time on a mountain road. At first, the brakes worked fine, but the more I pressed, the softer they became—the pedal almost went to the floor with no stopping power, and my back was drenched in cold sweat from fear. When I stopped and touched the wheel hubs, they were so hot you could fry an egg on them. The mechanic said the brake pads had turned blue from overheating. I’ve since learned my lesson—now, on long descents, I shift to manual mode early and use engine braking to control speed. If you’re driving a manual transmission car, shifting to third gear works wonders. If you must use the brakes, do it intermittently (pump them) to give the pads time to cool. Oh, and a heads-up: the trick of spraying water on the brakes is for big trucks—don’t try it with your family car!
