Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Practice Exam

When descending a downgrade, noticing increased difficulty in controlling speed is a clear indicator that your brakes may be fading. This suggests that the brakes are not providing the necessary stopping power or effectiveness, which can occur due to overheating. Brake fade can happen when brakes are subjected to prolonged use, such as when managing speeds on a downhill slope.

If the brakes are fading, it becomes increasingly challenging to maintain control over your vehicle’s speed, putting you and others on the road at risk. This could lead to a situation where you may be unable to slow down adequately to navigate turns or other hazards safely. Recognizing this condition early is crucial for a driver to take preventive measures, such as downshifting to a lower gear or finding a safe area to stop and allow the brakes to cool.

Other options, while they might suggest a problem with the brakes, do not specifically indicate brake fade in the context of a downhill scenario. For instance, stopping feeling the brake's response might imply an absence of braking force, which can be related but doesn't directly signal fade as a response to heat. Similarly, hearing a loud squeal and smelling burning rubber can indicate brake issues, but these conditions may not always be a direct result of fading brakes specifically during a downgrade.