How to Use Engine Braking and Regular Brakes on a Steep Hill

 

Going down a steep hill can be one of those driving situations that makes you a little uneasy, especially when you are still learning. The car can pick up speed quickly, and it is tempting to keep your foot on the brake all the way down. The problem is that this can put a lot of heat into the brakes. For learners attending an Automatic driving school southwest London, understanding when to use engine braking and when to use the regular brakes can make steep downhill driving feel much easier.

Why Steep Hills Need Extra Care

A car naturally wants to speed up when it is travelling downhill because of gravity.

On a short slope, this may not be much of an issue. On a long or particularly steep hill, though, you may find yourself constantly having to bring the speed back down.

This is where good speed control becomes important.

Instead of waiting for the car to get too fast and then braking hard, try to keep the speed under control from the beginning of the descent. Using the right gear can help, and so can sensible use of the brakes.

What Does Engine Braking Actually Mean?

Engine braking sounds more complicated than it really is.

It simply means taking your foot off the accelerator while leaving the car in gear. The engine produces resistance that assists in halting the car. This effect is particularly noticeable in the low gear.

As an example, you should change to the appropriate gear of a manual vehicle before descending downhill.

Some automatic vehicles have the ability to select low gear or manual mode for downhill driving. Still, since manual and automatic cars differ significantly, you should refer to your car manual when using them.

Why You Should Not Stay on the Brakes

One of the most common mistakes on steep downhill road sections is keeping the brakes pressed for the entire distance.

While this seems to be the best possible solution to ensure the safety of the process, as the vehicle is slow, the brakes are functioning constantly. This means you should use them when they are needed rather than depending on them every second of the descent.

Choose the Right Gear Before the Hill

If you know you are approaching a steep descent, think about your gear before the hill gets too steep.

In a manual car, selecting a suitable lower gear can help you use engine braking more effectively. It can also reduce how much work the regular brakes have to do.

Leaving the gear change until the car is already moving too quickly is usually harder than choosing the right gear early.

And there is another important point: do not put the car into neutral just to let it roll downhill. You lose engine braking and may have less control over the vehicle.

You Still Need the Regular Brakes

Engine braking is helpful, but it is not a replacement for the brake pedal.

There will be times when you need to slow down more quickly, such as when you approach a bend, a junction, slower traffic or another hazard.

Use the regular brakes when you need them.

What you want to avoid is keeping them pressed continuously when there is no need to do so.

A controlled application of the brakes, followed by releasing them when appropriate, can help keep your speed under control without putting unnecessary heat into the braking system.

Look Further Down the Road

Good downhill driving starts with looking ahead.

If you can see a bend coming, traffic slowing down or a junction at the bottom of the hill, you have time to prepare.

You can reduce your speed before you get there instead of waiting until the last moment.

This is much less stressful and usually gives you more control.

The more you practise looking ahead, the easier it becomes to anticipate what you will need to do next.

Long Hills Need More Thought

A long downhill road deserves a little more attention than a short slope.

The longer the descent, the longer the brakes may be exposed to heat if you keep using them.

A suitable gear can help keep the car's speed manageable. At the same time, keep checking what is happening ahead and use the regular brakes whenever you need to make a further adjustment.

Try not to let the car build up a lot of speed before braking again.

Keeping the speed steady from the start is usually much easier than repeatedly slowing the car down after it has accelerated.

Automatic Cars Do Not All Behave the Same

If you drive an automatic, do not assume that every car will handle a downhill road in exactly the same way.

Some automatic transmissions will select a lower gear themselves. Others may allow you to choose a lower gear, use manual mode or select a particular downhill setting.

It is worth knowing what your own car does before you find yourself on a long, steep descent.

A quick look through the owner's handbook can save a lot of guesswork.

Leave Plenty of Space

Following another vehicle too closely is never a great idea, but it can be particularly awkward on a downhill road.

If the driver ahead brakes suddenly, a bigger gap gives you more time to react.

It might be possible for you to decelerate smoothly instead of having to come to an abrupt halt.

Having that extra space also gives you more time to think, which can be especially helpful when you are still gaining experience.

Things to Avoid

There are a few habits worth leaving behind when driving down a steep hill:

·         Do not roll downhill in neutral.

·         Do not keep your foot on the brake unnecessarily.

·         Do not allow the car to build up excessive speed.

·         Do not wait until the last second before slowing down.

·         Do not rely only on engine braking when the brake pedal is needed.

·         Do not increase your speed simply because the road looks empty.

The goal is not to drive as slowly as possible. The goal is to choose a safe, controlled speed and stay there.

Engine Braking and Regular Brakes Function Differently

It is easy to consider engine braking and normal braking as two forces that are rival opponents, but they complement each other quite well.

Engine braking helps the car slow naturally while it remains in gear.

The regular brakes give you the extra control you need when you want to reduce your speed further or stop.

Using both sensibly means the regular brakes do not have to do all the work on a long descent.

What If the Brakes Start Feeling Different?

Pay attention if the brakes suddenly feel unusual.

If something unusual is happening with your vehicle, you should react.

Get to a safe place to stop and let your car cool down first.

Do not resume your normal driving because the brakes still work.

When you’re worried about your brakes, get the system checked by the experts.

A Short Piece of Advice to Follow

Whenever you need to drive downhill, keep these things in mind.

Choose. Control. Anticipate.

Choose a suitable gear.

Control your speed before it gets too high.

Anticipate what is coming further down the road.

These three simple ideas can make a surprisingly big difference.

Learning to deal with situations like this can also help you become more confident behind the wheel. We’ve also explored How Self-Belief Is Built Through Driving Confidence.

Final Thoughts

Going down a steep hill does not have to be stressful.

You do not need to keep your foot on the brake from the top to the bottom. Choosing an appropriate gear can give you useful engine braking, while the regular brakes are there whenever you need to bring your speed down further.

The biggest thing is to think ahead.

Keep your speed under control, leave yourself enough space and avoid waiting until the last moment to react. With more experience, using engine braking and the regular brakes will start to feel much more natural.

Like many parts of driving, it becomes easier once you stop treating it as a complicated technique and start thinking about it as simple, steady control.