Chapter 7: Demands on Brakes While Driving

The “Demands on Brakes While Driving” chapter in the Ontario air brake test guide highlights the various stresses brakes endure during regular vehicle operation.

Ontario Air Brake Test - Chapter 7: Demands on Brakes While Driving

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You should not expect ABS to

Function during heavy brake use

Help prevent wheel lock

Shorten the stopping distance of your vehicle

Help maintain steering control

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Under normal driving conditions on clean, dry roads, the difference between vehicles with and without ABS in stopping distance is

Always in favor of ABS by half the distance

Very large

Not noticeable

Always in favor of non-ABS vehicles

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Air brake systems have a built-in delay in brake application and release of up to

One-half second

Two seconds

One second

Five seconds

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Brakes slow a vehicle by converting its moving energy into

Heat

Electricity

Light

Sound

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Brake systems are designed for vehicles that are

Loaded beyond their rated capacity

Always empty

Used only at low speeds

Loaded within their rated capacity

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Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are designed to

Lock the wheels faster

Eliminate the need for regular brakes

Sense wheel speed and reduce brake force to a wheel about to lock

Work only at very low speeds

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In Ontario, vehicles with air brakes must be checked

Only when the brakes feel weak

Once a month for correct adjustment

Only at annual inspections

At least once each day for correct adjustment

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Brake force at a wheel drops significantly when

Tire pressure is at the recommended level

Brake chamber pushrod stroke becomes excessive

The parking brake is released

The vehicle is unloaded

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ABS warning indicator lights or malfunction lamps are

Only decorative

Used to indicate the status of the system and warn of malfunctions

Required to be turned off at all times

Not important for the driver to understand

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In extreme cases, such as long downhill travel at excessive speed with an overloaded vehicle, brake fade can become so severe that

You may be unable to slow or stop the vehicle

Only the horn stops working

The brakes stop producing heat

The brakes automatically repair themselves

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When brake chamber pushrod stroke exceeds the adjustment limit, braking ability

Can be reduced so much that the brakes may not stop or hold the vehicle

Only affects steering

Is improved for emergency situations

Remains unchanged

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When a wheel locks and a tire skids, a vehicle

Is unaffected in handling

Loses steering control and directional stability

Stops in a shorter distance with full control

Gains better steering control

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Proper brake adjustment ensures that the brake chamber

Only works when the vehicle is parked

Produces as little force as possible

Never needs to be inspected

Always produces the necessary force

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Keeping a safe distance behind other vehicles helps by

Reducing harsh brake use and excessive heat build-up

Having no effect on brake usage

Only improving fuel economy

Increasing the need for sudden braking

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The delay in an air brake system must be considered when determining

Tire rotation schedules

Suitable following distances and stopping actions

Radio volume

Mirror adjustment only

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In an air brake system, higher brake demand requires

Greater brake application pressure and more pedal travel

No change in brake application pressure

Only a change in tire pressure

Less brake application pressure and less pedal travel

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When speed is doubled, the stopping distance

Increases by four times

Decreases by half

Stays the same

Increases by two times

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When a brake is out of adjustment and pushrod stroke exceeds the adjustment limit, braking ability is

Automatically corrected by ABS

Increased

Reduced

Unchanged

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As brake components heat up and become less effective, you may need to

Only use the parking brake

Press harder on the brake pedal to get enough brake force

Stop using the pedal entirely

Press more lightly on the brake pedal

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Small losses in braking ability due to out-of-adjustment brakes are

Unlikely to be noticed during normal driving

Visible on the dashboard

Always obvious to the driver

Only present when the engine is off

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High demands on brakes that can expose poor adjustment include

Idling the engine in neutral

Parking on level ground

Heavier loads, higher speeds, long downhill grades, or emergency stops

Driving at very low speeds only

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When pushrod stroke becomes excessive, the vehicle

Stops in a shorter distance

Is unaffected in braking

Gains additional braking power

Loses some of its ability to stop

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Excessive brake heat can

Only change the brake pedal color

Improve brake performance permanently

Have no long-term effect

Damage brake components

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Overloading a vehicle affects the braking system by

Only affecting fuel consumption

Improving its ability to stop quickly

Having no effect on braking performance

Possibly exceeding its capacity to safely stop the vehicle

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Repeated or severe brake use, such as on long steep hills, can cause

Only tire wear

No change in brake temperature

Higher-than-normal brake operating temperatures

Lower brake temperatures

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When vehicle weight increases, stopping distance

Decreases regardless of weight

Only changes if the tires are worn

Increases in proportion to the increase in weight

Stays the same

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Brakes that are out of adjustment can be detected

Only by a reliable inspection method

Just by feeling the brake pedal

Only by listening to brake noise

By looking at the tires

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Increasing a vehicle’s speed or weight affects the brake system by

Increasing the demand on the brake system

Only affecting the steering system

Decreasing the demand on the brake system

Having no effect on the brake system

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ABS helps prevent tire skid and loss of steering control, thereby

Shortening stopping distances in all conditions dramatically

Eliminating the need for safe following distances

Making it impossible to brake on ice

Improving vehicle safety during heavy braking or poor traction

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The reduction in braking effectiveness caused by heat is called

Brake fade

Brake swell

Brake surge

Brake lock

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Engine brakes, retarders, or auxiliary brakes are used to

Replace the service brake system entirely

Heat the brakes faster

Help slow the vehicle and avoid excessive brake temperatures

Increase engine noise only

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If an ABS malfunction occurs, the driver should know that

Regular brake function is still available

Only the parking brake will work

All braking ability is lost

The vehicle cannot be stopped at all

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Good driving habits that reduce brake heat include

Making sudden, hard stops whenever possible

Ignoring road and traffic conditions

Following other vehicles closely

Anticipating road conditions and leaving enough time to stop

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For safety, the full capacity of the brake system

Is rarely needed and not important

Only matters on dry roads

Must always be available

Can be ignored on light vehicles

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If you double your vehicle weight and double your speed, your stopping distance

Stays the same

Doubles

Increases by eight times

Increases by four times

Your score is

It explains how frequent or prolonged braking, especially on long descents or in heavy traffic, can cause heat buildup, reducing brake effectiveness or “brake fade.” The chapter emphasizes the importance of proper braking techniques, such as using engine braking and maintaining safe following distances to prevent overuse. Understanding these demands helps drivers operate their vehicles safely, anticipate potential brake issues, and pass the Ontario air brake test, ensuring both personal and public safety on the road.