The More Momentum, The Harder It Is To Turn

when traveling downhill it takes more ______ to change direction

When travelling downhill, it takes more effort to change direction. This is true whether you're driving, cycling, or just walking. In a manual car, you'll need to downshift to a lower gear to make use of engine braking, and you'll need to leave more room to account for the increased stopping distance. In a bicycle, you'll need excellent braking skills to contribute to a fluid descent, and you'll need to adopt a practice of gentle resistance to avoid being thrown over the handlebars. Even when walking downhill, you'll need to be careful to control your speed and maintain your balance.

Characteristics Values
Driving conditions Mountainous, steep inclines
Vehicle requirements Powerful engine, good ground clearance, reliable brakes, ample torque, sturdy suspension, all-wheel drive
Driving technique Use engine braking, take turns slowly, maintain safe distance from vehicles in front

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Use both kinds of braking

When travelling downhill, it takes more effort to change direction. This is because, at high speed, it takes longer to change your direction.

  • Use engine braking: Instead of relying solely on your brakes to slow down, use engine braking. This technique involves shifting into a lower gear to allow the engine to slow down the vehicle without overusing the brakes. This can help to extend the life of your brakes and prevent them from overheating and failing.
  • Downshift manually: If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, you can manually downshift into a lower gear. This gives the engine more power when travelling downhill and helps to maintain speed.
  • Maintain a safe distance: When driving downhill, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you to account for the increased stopping distance.
  • Take turns slowly: Drive slowly around turns and corners to maintain control and avoid unexpected obstacles, such as falling rocks or wildlife.
  • Choose the right vehicle: When driving in mountainous terrain, it is essential to choose a vehicle with a powerful engine, good ground clearance, and reliable brakes. Consider a vehicle with all-wheel drive and ample horsepower to climb and descend steep slopes safely.
  • Monitor engine temperature: Keep an eye on your engine's temperature when driving downhill. If it starts to overheat, pull over and let it cool down to prevent any issues.
  • Use the right gear: On downhill drives, use a low gear (1-3 on a manual transmission or L and 2 on an automatic) to keep your speed low and reduce stress on the transmission.
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Minimize foot braking

When driving downhill, it is important to remember that it takes more effort to change direction. This is because your vehicle is likely to be travelling at a higher speed, and as a result, you will need more distance to slow down and come to a stop.

To minimise foot braking when driving downhill, you can employ a technique called left-foot braking. Here are some tips to help you with this technique:

  • Practice in an empty parking lot: Find an empty and open space to get a feel for left-foot braking. This will help you understand the amount of pressure needed and how your vehicle responds.
  • Rest your left heel on the floorboard: This provides support and allows you to modulate the pressure applied to the brake pedal effectively.
  • Smoothness and finesse: The key to successful left-foot braking is smoothness. Practice transitioning from the accelerator to the brake pedal smoothly, without any sharp or abrupt movements. This will help you maintain control and minimise head-bobbing.
  • Overlapping acceleration and braking: While this technique is generally not recommended, there may be specific scenarios where it is useful. For example, in an almost flat-out corner, gently squeezing the brake pedal while keeping the throttle flat out can help transfer grip to the front of the car, allowing you to maintain optimal speed.
  • Understand your vehicle: Not all vehicles are suitable for left-foot braking. It is essential to know whether your car has a manual, sequential, or paddle shift gearbox. This will determine if and when you can use your left foot for braking instead of the clutch.
  • Know when to left-foot brake: Left-foot braking is most beneficial when driving on a race track or during heavy traffic when you need to frequently switch between the accelerator and brake. It can help improve your reaction time and smoothness.

Remember, left-foot braking requires practice and patience to master. Start slowly and gradually build up your skills to become proficient in this technique.

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Avoid coasting downhill in neutral

When travelling downhill, it takes more effort to change direction. Coasting downhill in neutral is a common practice, but it is not advisable. Here are some reasons why you should avoid coasting downhill in neutral:

Safety:

Coasting downhill in neutral can be unsafe as it reduces your ability to respond to unexpected situations. When your car is in neutral, you cannot use the accelerator to quickly accelerate and avoid potential hazards on the road. Additionally, cars handle poorly in neutral during sharp cornering manoeuvres when the engine is not connected to the drivetrain.

Fuel Economy:

Contrary to popular belief, coasting downhill in neutral does not save fuel. In fact, it burns more fuel than if you were in gear. Most modern fuel-injected cars cut off fuel delivery completely when you lift your foot from the accelerator while in gear, resulting in zero fuel consumption during coasting. On the other hand, when in neutral, the engine continues to idle and consume fuel, even though the amount may be small, it is still more than when in gear.

Braking:

When driving downhill, it is important to use engine braking to help slow down your vehicle. This is done by shifting into a lower gear, which allows the engine to reduce the vehicle's speed without overusing the brakes. Relying solely on your brakes when driving downhill can cause them to overheat and fail.

Speed Control:

Coasting downhill in neutral gives you less control over your speed. By staying in gear, you can use the engine to maintain a safe speed and avoid picking up too much speed. This is especially important when driving on mountain roads or steep inclines, where it is crucial to maintain a safe speed and be able to quickly adjust your speed as needed.

Vehicle Wear:

Coasting in neutral can also put unnecessary strain on your vehicle's transmission and other components. Using a lower gear when driving downhill helps keep your speed low and reduces stress on the transmission. Additionally, it is important to monitor your engine's temperature when driving downhill to prevent overheating.

In summary, while it may be tempting to put your car in neutral and coast downhill to save fuel or reduce brake wear, it is generally not a good idea. Staying in gear provides better safety, fuel economy, and control over your vehicle when navigating downhill slopes.

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Don't use cruise control

When driving downhill, it takes more effort to change direction. This is because, at high speed, it takes longer to change direction.

Now, to address the issue of cruise control:

It is not advisable to use cruise control when driving downhill. While it may be tempting to take your focus off the road and relax, cruise control cannot detect upcoming road conditions or turns and will not slow down if roads are slippery or if you're approaching a sharp curve. This could result in a loss of vehicle control, serious injury, or even death.

Cruise control can be especially dangerous when driving downhill because your vehicle speed may increase above the set speed, and the system will not apply the brakes. This could lead to a "runaway vehicle," as automotive instructor Steve Elder describes it. Instead of relying on cruise control, it is recommended to use engine braking by shifting into a lower gear to allow the engine to slow the vehicle down without overusing the brakes. This is also known as "transmission braking."

Even modern features like adaptive cruise control (ACC), which uses sensors to detect the cars in front of you and keep a steady distance, come with the same warnings in the manual—avoid using on curves, hills, and slippery roads. The same is true for lane-keeping assist technology, which keeps your car in your lane. These technologies are still limited to maintaining a set speed and are not advanced enough to detect and respond to all potential hazards.

In conclusion, when driving downhill, it is crucial to remain alert and in control of your vehicle. Do not rely on cruise control, as it can lead to dangerous situations. Always be prepared to slow down and change direction as needed to ensure a safe driving experience.

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Leave plenty of room

When driving downhill, it is important to leave plenty of room between your car and the vehicle in front. This is because driving downhill requires more distance to change direction or stop. Here are some tips to help you leave enough room when driving downhill:

  • Maintain a Safe Distance: Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. A good rule of thumb is to stay 3-4 seconds behind the car ahead, adding an extra second for each hazardous condition. Driving downhill is considered hazardous, so 4-5 seconds is generally more appropriate. This increased distance will give you more time to react and stop if needed.
  • Slow Down: When in doubt, slow down. Reduce your speed, especially on steep hills, curves, or wet and icy roads. By driving at a slower speed, you will have better control of your vehicle and more time to react to unexpected situations.
  • Use Engine Braking: Instead of relying solely on your foot brake, use engine braking by shifting into a lower gear. This will allow the engine to help slow down your vehicle, reducing the strain on your brakes. Remember to downshift before you reach the top of a hill to avoid excessive speeds downhill.
  • Avoid Coasting: Do not coast downhill with your manual transmission car in neutral. This gives you less control over your vehicle and increases your reaction time if you need to slow down or make a turn. It is illegal in many places and can be dangerous.
  • Be Aware of Traffic: Keep an eye on the traffic around you, especially when approaching a hill crest. Leave extra space between your car and the car in front to improve your visibility. If you have multiple cars behind you, consider pulling over in a safe, legal place to let them pass.
  • Plan Ahead: Anticipate steep turns and curves by slowing down and braking before you reach them. This will help you maintain control and reduce the need for sudden braking or sharp turns, which can be dangerous.

By following these tips and leaving plenty of room, you can help ensure a safer driving experience when travelling downhill.

Frequently asked questions

When traveling downhill, gravity works in the same direction as your vehicle, increasing its speed. As a result, it takes more time to change direction as you need to account for the increased speed.

The safest way to reduce speed when traveling downhill is to use engine braking by shifting into a lower gear. This allows the engine to slow the vehicle down without overusing the brakes, which can cause them to overheat and fail.

The best vehicles for mountain driving have a powerful engine, good ground clearance, reliable brakes, adequate torque, sturdy suspension, and all-wheel drive. Examples include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Range Rover, and Subaru Outback.

In addition to using engine braking, take turns slowly, watch out for falling rocks, debris, and wildlife, and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you to account for the increased stopping distance when traveling downhill.

Night driving in the mountains adds an extra layer of complexity due to limited visibility and disorienting winding roads. It is important to stay attentive, slow down, and use your headlights effectively while also switching to low beams when approaching oncoming traffic.

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