Home › CDL Practice Tests › General Knowledge Questions › Question 80
What causes brake fade on a long downgrade?
- A.Brakes that are too cold
- B.New brake linings
- C.Using the engine to hold speed
- D.Overheated brakes from riding the service brakes too long, until they lose stopping power
Correct answer
D. Overheated brakes from riding the service brakes too long, until they lose stopping power
Why
Friction turns into heat, and overheated drums expand away from the linings while the lining surface glazes, so pedal effort stops producing braking. Fade is prevented by choosing a low gear and using snub braking instead of dragging the brakes.
Manual topic: Safe Driving - Brake Failure · From the General Knowledge practice bank (GK-080).