35.22. When braking with the engine on a steep descent, the driver should select the gear based on the following conditions:
UAПід час гальмування двигуном на крутому спуску водій має вибирати передачу, виходячи з умов:
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning safe driving on a steep or long descent, when a car naturally tends to accelerate under the force of gravity. In such conditions, it is important not to overload the service braking system, as frequent and prolonged pressing of the brake pedal can lead to overheating of the mechanisms and reduced braking efficiency. That is why the traffic rules pay great attention to speed control and the use of engine braking.
The question tests understanding of the topic "Speed and Safe Driving" (sections 12.1–12.2 of the Traffic Rules), as well as prohibitions for the driver (section 2.9 regarding coasting with the gear or clutch disengaged). The logic is simple: the lower the gear, the stronger the engine braking effect, and the easier it is to maintain a safe speed without constant use of the service brakes. This directly helps to fulfill the requirement of constant control over movement and the ability to stop within the visible distance, which is important for both the theoretical exam and real driving.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the effectiveness of engine braking. The statement about choosing a higher gear on a steeper descent is incorrect, because in higher gears the engine brakes less, and the car accelerates more quickly. The option stating that gear selection is independent of the steepness is also wrong: it is precisely the steepness and length of the descent that determine how intensively the car will accelerate, and therefore require more restraint from the engine. The correct approach for a driver on a descent: switch to a lower gear in advance, maintain engagement with the wheels, and minimize prolonged braking with the pedal to reduce the risk of overheating and brake failure.
Clause 2.9 (driver prohibitions)
The driver is prohibited from: coasting with the clutch or gear disengaged.
This rule is directly related to descending: coasting (in neutral/with the clutch pressed) eliminates the possibility of effectively using engine braking and increases the risk of losing speed control on a steep descent.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe driving speed within established limits, the driver must take into account the road conditions, the characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, in order to be able to constantly control its movement and drive it safely.
On a steep descent, the "road conditions" objectively require such a driving mode that ensures constant speed control, in particular through engine braking (that is, by selecting a lower gear).
Clause 12.2
The driver must operate the vehicle at such a speed as to be able to stop it within the visible distance of the road in the direction of travel.
To meet this requirement on a steep, prolonged descent without overheating the service brakes, the driver must reduce speed, including by engine braking, which is achieved by selecting a lower gear.
Thus, the correct answer is "The steeper the descent, the lower the gear," given that according to the Traffic Rules, the driver is prohibited from coasting with the gear/clutch disengaged (clause 2.9), and the speed must ensure constant control of movement and the ability to stop within the visible distance (clauses 12.1–12.2), which on a steep descent is achieved by engaging a lower gear for engine braking.
During a prolonged or steep descent, a car naturally tends to accelerate under the force of gravity. If the driver maintains speed only with the service brakes, the braking mechanisms are constantly in use and quickly overheat. In the worst case, the effectiveness of the brakes can drop sharply, up to a situation where the pedal is pressed but there is almost no deceleration. That is why the Traffic Rules require engine braking to be used in such conditions and the correct gear to be selected.
Engine braking works as follows: the car moves with a gear engaged, the driver releases the accelerator pedal, and the engine, through the transmission, begins to restrain the rotation of the drive wheels. An important point is that the strength of this "restraint" depends on the selected gear. In lower gears, the connection between the engine and the wheels is "tighter," so the deceleration from the engine is more noticeable; in higher gears, this effect is weaker, and the car gains speed more easily.
Therefore, before descending, the driver assesses its steepness and engages such a gear in advance so that the car can maintain a safe speed mainly due to the engine, rather than frequent pressing of the brake pedal. For example, on a moderate slope, third gear may be sufficient, but on a steep, long descent, it is necessary to shift to second or even first gear so that the car does not "roll away" and does not force the driver to brake continuously.
It is also important to understand why it is dangerous to coast in neutral or with the clutch disengaged: in this case, the engine is essentially disconnected from the drive wheels and does not restrain the car. The vehicle quickly gains speed, and the driver has to compensate for this only with the service brakes, which creates the risk of overheating and loss of braking efficiency.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The steeper the descent, the lower the gear," since a lower gear provides stronger engine braking, helps maintain speed on the descent, and reduces the load on the service brakes.