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On a winter downgrade, why is planning your gear selection before the descent even more important than in summer?
- A.Retarding force must do most of the speed control because service brakes used hard on a slick descent can lock wheels and start a slide or jackknife
- B.Winter grades are shorter
- C.Brakes work better when icy
- D.Gear choice does not matter on snow
Correct answer
A. Retarding force must do most of the speed control because service brakes used hard on a slick descent can lock wheels and start a slide or jackknife
Why
On a slick grade, the margin between rolling and sliding is thin, and braking hard enough to need a downshift mid-descent can break traction entirely. Selecting the low gear at the top and keeping speed slow from the start preserves control.
Manual topic: Winter Driving - Downgrades · From the General Knowledge practice bank (GK-315).