What is the correct method to control speed when descending a long slope?
1 Answers
When descending a long slope, the correct methods to control speed are: 1. For manual transmission vehicles, shift the gearbox to a lower gear to utilize engine braking, while also applying the brakes to maintain a reasonable speed range; 2. For automatic transmission or semi-automatic vehicles, switch the gearbox to manual mode and select a lower gear, or shift to L (Low) gear if available, using the gearbox braking in combination with the brakes to control speed. When descending, the gear selection should be based on the slope gradient—the steeper the slope, the lower the gear should be. Essentially, the lower gear helps to restrain the vehicle's speed from becoming too high, avoiding prolonged use of brakes which could lead to brake component damage.