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

Radio volume

Suitable following distances and stopping actions

Tire rotation schedules

Mirror adjustment only

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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

Reduced

Unchanged

Increased

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Brake systems are designed for vehicles that are

Loaded beyond their rated capacity

Always empty

Loaded within their rated capacity

Used only at low speeds

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

Very large

Not noticeable

Always in favor of non-ABS vehicles

Always in favor of ABS by half the distance

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When speed is doubled, the stopping distance

Decreases by half

Increases by four times

Stays the same

Increases by two times

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In Ontario, vehicles with air brakes must be checked

At least once each day for correct adjustment

Only at annual inspections

Only when the brakes feel weak

Once a month for correct adjustment

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

Only tire wear

Lower brake temperatures

Higher-than-normal brake operating temperatures

No change in brake temperature

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Overloading a vehicle affects the braking system by

Improving its ability to stop quickly

Only affecting fuel consumption

Having no effect on braking performance

Possibly exceeding its capacity to safely stop the vehicle

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If an ABS malfunction occurs, the driver should know that

Only the parking brake will work

The vehicle cannot be stopped at all

All braking ability is lost

Regular brake function is still available

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

Press harder on the brake pedal to get enough brake force

Press more lightly on the brake pedal

Only use the parking brake

Stop using the pedal entirely

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

One second

Five seconds

One-half second

Two seconds

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You should not expect ABS to

Function during heavy brake use

Shorten the stopping distance of your vehicle

Help maintain steering control

Help prevent wheel lock

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When vehicle weight increases, stopping distance

Stays the same

Decreases regardless of weight

Increases in proportion to the increase in weight

Only changes if the tires are worn

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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

Always produces the necessary force

Never needs to be inspected

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

Is improved for emergency situations

Only affects steering

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

Remains unchanged

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Brake force at a wheel drops significantly when

The parking brake is released

The vehicle is unloaded

Tire pressure is at the recommended level

Brake chamber pushrod stroke becomes excessive

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Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are designed to

Eliminate the need for regular brakes

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

Lock the wheels faster

Work only at very low speeds

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When pushrod stroke becomes excessive, the vehicle

Gains additional braking power

Loses some of its ability to stop

Is unaffected in braking

Stops in a shorter distance

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High demands on brakes that can expose poor adjustment include

Driving at very low speeds only

Idling the engine in neutral

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

Parking on level ground

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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

By looking at the tires

Only by listening to brake noise

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Engine brakes, retarders, or auxiliary brakes are used to

Heat the brakes faster

Help slow the vehicle and avoid excessive brake temperatures

Increase engine noise only

Replace the service brake system entirely

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Excessive brake heat can

Damage brake components

Only change the brake pedal color

Have no long-term effect

Improve brake performance permanently

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Brakes slow a vehicle by converting its moving energy into

Heat

Electricity

Light

Sound

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When a wheel locks and a tire skids, a vehicle

Stops in a shorter distance with full control

Gains better steering control

Is unaffected in handling

Loses steering control and directional stability

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

Decreasing the demand on the brake system

Having no effect on the brake system

Only affecting the steering system

Increasing the demand on the brake system

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Keeping a safe distance behind other vehicles helps by

Only improving fuel economy

Increasing the need for sudden braking

Reducing harsh brake use and excessive heat build-up

Having no effect on brake usage

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

Stays the same

Increases by four times

Doubles

Increases by eight times

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

Eliminating the need for safe following distances

Improving vehicle safety during heavy braking or poor traction

Shortening stopping distances in all conditions dramatically

Making it impossible to brake on ice

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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

Only the horn stops working

The brakes automatically repair themselves

You may be unable to slow or stop the vehicle

The brakes stop producing heat

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For safety, the full capacity of the brake system

Is rarely needed and not important

Can be ignored on light vehicles

Must always be available

Only matters on dry roads

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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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The reduction in braking effectiveness caused by heat is called

Brake surge

Brake swell

Brake fade

Brake lock

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ABS warning indicator lights or malfunction lamps are

Required to be turned off at all times

Not important for the driver to understand

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

Only decorative

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

Always obvious to the driver

Visible on the dashboard

Unlikely to be noticed during normal driving

Only present when the engine is off

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Good driving habits that reduce brake heat include

Following other vehicles closely

Ignoring road and traffic conditions

Anticipating road conditions and leaving enough time to stop

Making sudden, hard stops whenever possible

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.