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What issues should you watch out for on long continuous slopes?
If you ask experienced truck drivers what kind of road conditions they fear the most, long downhill stretches are definitely one of them. That’s because long downhills are often where truck accidents happen most frequently. To control speed, drivers end up using the brakes more often and for longer periods, which can lead to a bunch of serious problems. So, what should you watch out for on a long, continuous downhill? How can you make sure you drive safely?
▎ Check your vehicle regularly, and check again before going downhill.
When a vehicle runs for a long time, it's inevitable that it might not be in the best condition. So in daily operations, it's important to regularly check the vehicle, especially all the safety-related components, like whether the brake clearance is normal, if the brake pads are excessively worn, whether there's any air leakage, if the brake drums have cracks, if the brake return springs are working properly, and whether the dryer is functioning well. Any issues should be repaired or replaced promptly.
In today's transportation market, running routes through the southern mountains often requires installing a water-spraying device. Although this can be considered an illegal modification, for the sake of transportation safety, many long downhill sections will have reminders to fill up the water tank and check the spraying equipment to prevent issues like brake failure due to high temperatures.
As the saying goes, 'Slow and steady wins the race.' When driving on long downhill stretches, never let your guard down. Even if you are very familiar with the road, make sure to do a thorough pre-drive check to ensure all parts are working properly.
▎Slow down before going downhill, and never coast in neutral.
Learning defensive driving is an essential lesson for any driver. When facing a long downhill section, whether or not you have auxiliary braking equipment, you should make preparations in advance, always stay cautious, and keep an eye on roadside warning signs and escape lanes. The roadside warning signs might provide info about the road ahead, like 'Long downhill for the next xx kilometers.'
Before going down a long slope, you should downshift and slow down in advance. Driving in a lower gear allows the engine's resistance to help control your speed, and driving slower reduces how often you need to use the brakes, lowering the risk of brake fade. Downshifting early also helps prevent situations where an unexpected problem arises and you're going too fast to shift successfully, which could lead to accidents.
At the same time, never coast in neutral. Many truck drivers think 'coasting in neutral saves fuel,' but in fact, this is a misconception. Coasting in neutral doesn’t save fuel and actually creates more safety risks. When idling, the air pump’s output is low, but on long downhill drives, frequent braking uses more air. Long-distance coasting in neutral can lead to insufficient air in the tanks, which increases the risk of brake failure.
▎Install auxiliary brakes and choose vehicles with hydraulic retarders as an option.
With the development of commercial vehicle technology, many heavy trucks can now be equipped with auxiliary braking features like hydraulic retarders, engine brakes, and exhaust brakes. Engine brakes are mainly used at low speeds, but it’s important to avoid using them on slippery roads. Hydraulic retarders, on the other hand, are more effective at high speeds.
If you often drive on mountain roads, it’s recommended to add an engine brake or a pressure retarder, so you can ensure braking safety both at high and low speeds. If your vehicle has a hydraulic retarder, you can also use its different braking stages during regular driving to slow down, which reduces how often you press the brake and helps extend the life of your brake pads.
You also need to have skill when braking—you can't keep your foot on the brake all the time. You need to brake according to your speed. If you're going fast, you can slow down using engine downshifting or auxiliary braking, and when you do step on the brake, press down until your speed drops and then release. Brake intermittently, try to reduce how often you brake, and avoid continuous braking, so the brake drums don’t overheat.
● Editor's Note:
The freight industry is a high-risk industry, so safety should always be a priority in daily operations. To sum it up: check everything before going downhill, operate properly while going downhill, and if an accident happens, stay calm and minimize the damage. I hope everyone can stay safe and make good money.
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