China's terrain is dominated by mountains, with 69% of the land area consisting of hills and plateaus. As a result, mountain roads make up a significant portion of the country’s total road network. When driving downhill on these roads, vehicles typically rely on their primary braking system to convert the car’s potential and kinetic energy into heat. However, during prolonged descents, the brake system in commercial vehicles can become overloaded with heat. If the brakes cannot dissipate this heat quickly enough, the temperature of the brake drums and pads rises sharply, leading to a loss of braking efficiency—often referred to as "brake fade." This issue increases the likelihood of accidents on steep downhill sections compared to other road types.
The main braking system is designed for emergency stops, as it can absorb a large amount of energy in a short time. However, its effectiveness diminishes over time, especially during long descents. Therefore, the continuous braking system should be used instead. Unlike the main brake, the continuous braking system generates less power but maintains consistent braking force over an extended period, making it more suitable for sustained downhill driving. This method is widely recognized and used in many countries around the world.
**Does engine braking damage the vehicle engine?**
No, engine braking itself does not damage the engine. However, frequent downshifting can put extra stress on the transmission. It’s best to slow down gradually while shifting gears. Using engine braking on long downhill slopes helps reduce the thermal load on the regular braking system, improving safety and prolonging brake life.
**Is engine braking beneficial? Here's the correct way to do it!**
Engine braking involves lifting your foot off the accelerator without pressing the clutch. This allows the engine’s compression resistance, internal friction, and intake/exhaust backpressure to create a braking effect on the wheels.
When coasting, the engine remains connected to the drive wheels. As the vehicle slows, the engine transitions from a running state to idle, reducing its speed. The drive wheels, however, want to maintain synchronization with the engine. This creates a sort of "tug-of-war" between the two, causing the engine speed to drop gradually rather than instantly. At the same time, the drive wheels are slowed down significantly by the engine’s resistance, resulting in a more controlled deceleration than simply coasting in neutral.
Engine braking essentially uses the engine’s torque to provide braking force. According to the formula P = FV, if the engine speed remains relatively constant, the output power is also stable. This means that when you shift down, the engine produces higher torque at lower speeds, which helps slow the vehicle down effectively. This is the principle behind engine braking, and it’s most effective when used at moderate speeds—not at high speeds unless in an emergency situation, similar to how a trailer might use engine braking.
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