Downhill Braking With a Fading Pedal
You are driving a loaded van down a long mountain descent on a two-lane road. The grade is steep and continues for about 3 kilometres. Your speed has crept up to 70 km/h in a 60 km/h zone despite light braking. After several minutes of using the brakes, the pedal begins to feel soft and travels further before biting. The van is heavy with cargo and passengers. Ahead, a slower car is climbing the grade in the opposite direction, and a sharp right-hand bend is visible about 150 metres ahead. There is a gravel pull-off on the right about 100 metres ahead. You must decide how to control speed and where to stop.
1. Diagnose the soft, long-travel pedal and explain the correct braking technique on this descent.
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A soft pedal that travels further after repeated braking is a classic sign of brake fade, where heat builds up faster than the brakes can shed it. Continuing to ride the brakes will make it worse. The correct technique on a long descent is to select a lower gear so engine braking holds the speed, using the brakes in short, firm applications rather than continuous light pressure. This lets the brakes cool between uses.
With a heavy load, the van's momentum is greater, so the descent should be taken slower than the posted limit. Aim to hold a steady, lower speed from the start of the grade rather than letting speed build and then trying to shed it. If the pedal is already soft, reduce speed immediately using engine braking and firm, brief brake applications, and plan to use the gravel pull-off to stop and let the brakes cool. Do not continue down the grade hoping the pedal recovers.
2. Explain how you manage the oncoming car and the bend while bringing the van to a safe stop at the pull-off.
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The oncoming car is climbing and will be slow, so do not drift across the centre line while setting up for the pull-off. Signal early, check the mirror, and move right only when you have clear space. Because the bend is 150 metres ahead and your brakes are compromised, your stopping distance is longer than normal, so begin slowing well before the pull-off rather than at the last moment.
Use engine braking to bring speed down and apply the brakes firmly but briefly. If the pedal continues to fade, use the pull-off as an escape route: enter it at a controlled speed, keeping clear of the oncoming lane, and stop fully. Once stopped, let the brakes cool before continuing, and check for any fluid smell or smoke. If the pedal does not recover, do not resume the descent; arrange assistance. The priority is a controlled stop, not maintaining schedule.