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When going down a long steep grade, how much should you reduce your speed before releasing the brake?

  1. 10 mph

  2. 5 mph

  3. 15 mph

  4. 20 mph

The correct answer is: 5 mph

When descending a long steep grade, it is essential to reduce your speed significantly before releasing the brake to ensure safe handling of the vehicle and to avoid overheating the braking system. Reducing your speed by 5 mph allows for a controlled descent while maintaining enough control to respond to any changes in traffic or road conditions. This reduction in speed creates a buffer that helps prevent brake failure caused by overheating. The goal is to maintain a safe level of speed that minimizes the risk of losing control due to the vehicle's momentum combined with gravity pulling it down the slope. If the speed reduction were any lower, like less than 5 mph, it may not be effective enough for steep grades. Conversely, reducing speed excessively would not be practical or necessary, as the goal is to find a balance between control and driving efficiency. Therefore, reducing speed by 5 mph is the best response before releasing the brakes.