Vehicle handling
You are driving down a long, steep hill. How can you help control your speed and reduce wear on the brakes?
- Select a lower gear so the engine helps to slow the carCorrect
- Put the car in neutral and coast down
- Hold the brake pedal down firmly the whole way
- Switch off the engine to save fuel
Why?
Using the brakes non-stop on a long descent can make them overheat and fade. Rule 160 of The Highway Code advises selecting a lower gear before a steep downhill so engine braking helps hold your speed, which keeps the footbrake in reserve for when you really need it.
Highway Code rule 160