Why use low gear to go downhill?

We often see notices on mountain roads or highways that say, "Low gear downhill is recommended." What are the benefits of low gear downhill, and how do we use this technique?

Today we will do a simple understanding.

Low gear downhill

Why Do I Need to Use Engine Brakes When Going Downhill?#

When using low gears, the engine speed will indirectly limit the gears, and the gears will therefore become the speed limit of the transmission.

In other words, when you use low gear to go downhill, as long as you do not step on the accelerator, you can always feel the brake force feedback from the engine end. At this time, the frequency and force of stepping on the brake can be reduced.

Engine brakes can firstly reduce the frequency and intensity of the brake components. Whether the vehicle uses brakes or disc brakes, this reduces the possibility of heat exhaustion. In addition, it can also reduce the wear and tear of consumables such as the film.

Important caution

Avoid Making the Revolutions Too High#

But be careful: no matter how you lower the gear, please avoid making the revolutions too high.

For example, when you go downhill at 80 speed but use second gear, and the speed is high at five or six thousand or even seven thousand rpm, then the gearbox is damaged by saving the film. Which one is lighter and heavier can be seen.

Working principle

Principle of Engine Brake Action#

The steam intake, compression, and exhaust strokes will consume engine power and form resistance. As a result, the engine speed is slow when the accelerator pedal is released, and the inertial vehicle force is greater than the engine power, and the inertial vehicle force is reversely transmitted.

The inertial force is reversely transmitted from the tires to the engine and the engine's resistance. The vehicle's kinetic energy, the engine's resistance, and the transmission system gear reduction effect cause the vehicle to decelerate. This is called the engine braking effect.

To put it simply, "the higher your vehicle speed, but the less power provided by the engine, the stronger the deceleration effect will be fed back."

Advantages

Where Are the Advantages?#

It saves the wear of brake parts, effectively reduces downhill vehicles' speed, and can also avoid potential dangers after brake failure.

Just a single line of words lets us understand the benefits of low-speed gear downhill and the value of engine brakes.

I hope everyone can effectively and properly use the engine braking technique on downhill roads in the future! Do you have anything to say? Please feel free to post your message.