What should you do when traveling down a downgrade?

When traveling down a downgrade, shifting gears when necessary is crucial for managing your vehicle's speed and maintaining control. By selecting the appropriate gear, you can utilize the engine's braking power to help slow down the vehicle naturally without relying solely on the brakes, which can overheat and become less effective over time. This technique, often referred to as "engine braking," reduces wear on the brake system and helps maintain a steady speed.

While trying to accelerate to maintain speed may seem like a way to keep control, it could lead to dangerous situations, as the vehicle can quickly gain speed downhill, making it difficult to slow down as needed. Continuous braking can lead to brake failure due to overheating, and using the emergency brake is not advisable for regular downhill travel, as it is designed for emergencies only and can lock the wheels or cause loss of control.