Home › CDL Practice Tests › General Knowledge Questions › Question 86
When should you select the gear for a long downgrade?
- A.Halfway down, once you know your speed
- B.Before starting down, using roughly the gear you would need to climb the same hill
- C.At the bottom, to save the transmission
- D.Any time, since modern brakes can handle any grade
Correct answer
B. Before starting down, using roughly the gear you would need to climb the same hill
Why
Once a heavy vehicle gains speed on a grade, downshifting may be impossible and the brakes may already be overheating. Choosing the right low gear at the top lets engine braking hold your speed from the start.
Manual topic: Safe Driving - Mountain Driving · From the General Knowledge practice bank (GK-086).