In which gear should you drive when going down a steep hill?

Study for the Texas DPS Learner’s Permit Exam. Review with multiple choice questions designed to help you understand Texas road rules and driving laws. Remember, each question comes with hints and explanations. Prepare to ace your test!

When driving down a steep hill, engaging low gear is the best option. This setting allows the engine to provide additional braking power through engine compression, which helps maintain a safe speed without relying solely on the brakes. By using low gear, you can take advantage of engine braking, which reduces wear on the brake system and helps prevent brake overheating, which can occur if the brakes are used continuously on a long descent.

Using neutral gear would disengage the engine from the wheels, making it difficult to control speed effectively and increasing the risk of losing control of the vehicle. Driving in high gear is less effective for this scenario because it doesn't leverage engine braking to the same extent, potentially leading to an uncontrolled descent. Finally, reverse gear is not appropriate for driving downhill, as it is meant for moving backward rather than facilitating safe descent on an incline. Therefore, low gear is the most suitable choice for maintaining control and safely navigating steep hills.

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