Overseas mountainous transportation routes have long slopes and large drops, and long downhill sections are high-risk areas for heavy truck accidents. Many drivers are accustomed to using the brakes to control the speed throughout the entire process. Prolonged braking can cause a rapid increase in the temperature of the brake pads and brake drums, resulting in brake heat attenuation, decreased braking force, and in severe cases, brake failure. Long downhill slopes in mountainous areas cannot rely solely on foot brakes for deceleration. Reasonable combination of engine brakes and hydraulic retarders, and the cultivation of scientific speed control habits, are necessary to protect braking components, ensure driving safety, reduce accessory wear and tear, and improve the attendance rate of fleet vehicles.
Anticipate road conditions in advance and complete deceleration and gear selection before going downhill. Before entering a long downhill slope, the vehicle should reduce its speed in advance on a straight road section, shift into a suitable low gear according to the load situation, and prohibit continuous downshifting halfway down the slope. In low gear, the engine drag resistance is used to control the vehicle speed, and the load is shared by the engine brake, reducing the frequency of using the service brake. Under heavy load, the gear should not be too high to avoid the vehicle slipping faster and frequently stepping on the brake to cool down.
Correctly use the auxiliary braking device to share the main braking pressure. Heavy trucks equipped with hydraulic retarders can activate the retarders in advance, adjust gears step by step, and continuously control the speed. The retarders are only used to stabilize the speed and are not intended for emergency parking. When using the engine brake, do not keep it on for a long time at high speeds. Pay attention to the dashboard alarm prompt and adjust it promptly if any abnormal speed is found. Auxiliary braking only plays a speed control role, and in emergency situations, the foot brake is still required to complete the braking.
The use of foot brakes should follow the principle of spot braking to avoid prolonged and continuous stepping on them. When driving on long downhill slopes, try to avoid holding the foot brake for a long time. Continuous braking can quickly accumulate heat, causing the brakes to overheat. Intermittent braking is required when decelerating, with reserved time for heat dissipation. Once you smell a burnt smell or the brake pedal becomes soft, immediately choose the safe haven lane to park, wait for the brake system to cool down, and do not forcefully continue downhill.
Conduct a pre departure brake system inspection and identify potential hazards in advance. Before driving on mountainous routes, focus on checking the thickness of the brake pads, whether there is any air leakage in the brake pipes, whether there are cracks in the brake drums, and confirming that the water spray device is working properly. Dripping water for cooling should only be used as an auxiliary measure and should not be overly relied upon. Dripping water for sudden cooling can easily cause the brake drum to crack, which in turn lays the foundation for potential malfunctions.
Control driving habits, maintain a safe distance between vehicles, maintain a sufficient safe distance from the preceding vehicle, observe road bends in advance, and reduce sudden braking operations. The core of braking protection for long downhill slopes is to control the speed in advance and the vehicle by gear, with auxiliary braking as the main force, and foot brakes only used for short-term speed regulation. This operating method not only reduces brake system wear and tear, reduces maintenance and replacement costs, but also effectively avoids major safety accidents in mountainous areas, making it suitable for daily driver training reference for overseas mountainous freight fleets.
