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

The brakes automatically repair themselves

Only the horn stops working

The brakes stop producing heat

You may be unable to slow or stop the vehicle

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In an air brake system, higher brake demand requires

No change in brake application pressure

Less brake application pressure and less pedal travel

Only a change in tire pressure

Greater brake application pressure and more pedal travel

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Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are designed to

Work only at very low speeds

Lock the wheels faster

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

Eliminate the need for regular brakes

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High demands on brakes that can expose poor adjustment include

Parking on level ground

Idling the engine in neutral

Driving at very low speeds only

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

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You should not expect ABS to

Shorten the stopping distance of your vehicle

Help maintain steering control

Help prevent wheel lock

Function during heavy brake use

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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

Always in favor of ABS by half the distance

Not noticeable

Always in favor of non-ABS vehicles

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

Is improved for emergency situations

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

Remains unchanged

Only affects steering

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When speed is doubled, the stopping distance

Increases by two times

Increases by four times

Stays the same

Decreases by half

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

Increases by four times

Doubles

Increases by eight times

Stays the same

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

Having no effect on the brake system

Decreasing the demand on the brake system

Only affecting the steering system

Increasing the demand on the brake system

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

Shortening stopping distances in all conditions dramatically

Making it impossible to brake on ice

Eliminating the need for safe following distances

Improving vehicle safety during heavy braking or poor traction

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When vehicle weight increases, stopping distance

Decreases regardless of weight

Only changes if the tires are worn

Stays the same

Increases in proportion to the increase in weight

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Keeping a safe distance behind other vehicles helps by

Having no effect on brake usage

Only improving fuel economy

Increasing the need for sudden braking

Reducing harsh brake use and excessive heat build-up

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Brake force at a wheel drops significantly when

The parking brake is released

Tire pressure is at the recommended level

Brake chamber pushrod stroke becomes excessive

The vehicle is unloaded

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Brake systems are designed for vehicles that are

Always empty

Loaded within their rated capacity

Used only at low speeds

Loaded beyond their rated capacity

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Engine brakes, retarders, or auxiliary brakes are used to

Increase engine noise only

Replace the service brake system entirely

Heat the brakes faster

Help slow the vehicle and avoid excessive brake temperatures

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

Always obvious to the driver

Only present when the engine is off

Unlikely to be noticed during normal driving

Visible on the dashboard

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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

Mirror adjustment only

Radio volume

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Overloading a vehicle affects the braking system by

Improving its ability to stop quickly

Only affecting fuel consumption

Possibly exceeding its capacity to safely stop the vehicle

Having no effect on braking performance

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Good driving habits that reduce brake heat include

Anticipating road conditions and leaving enough time to stop

Following other vehicles closely

Ignoring road and traffic conditions

Making sudden, hard stops whenever possible

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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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The reduction in braking effectiveness caused by heat is called

Brake surge

Brake fade

Brake swell

Brake lock

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When pushrod stroke becomes excessive, the vehicle

Is unaffected in braking

Gains additional braking power

Loses some of its ability to stop

Stops in a shorter distance

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In Ontario, vehicles with air brakes must be checked

Only at annual inspections

Once a month for correct adjustment

Only when the brakes feel weak

At least once each day for correct adjustment

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Brakes slow a vehicle by converting its moving energy into

Sound

Light

Heat

Electricity

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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

Stop using the pedal entirely

Only use the parking brake

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

One second

Two seconds

Five seconds

One-half second

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When a wheel locks and a tire skids, a vehicle

Gains better steering control

Loses steering control and directional stability

Stops in a shorter distance with full control

Is unaffected in handling

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

Increased

Reduced

Automatically corrected by ABS

Unchanged

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For safety, the full capacity of the brake system

Only matters on dry roads

Can be ignored on light vehicles

Is rarely needed and not important

Must always be available

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Proper brake adjustment ensures that the brake chamber

Never needs to be inspected

Produces as little force as possible

Always produces the necessary force

Only works when the vehicle is parked

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ABS warning indicator lights or malfunction lamps are

Required to be turned off at all times

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

Only decorative

Not important for the driver to understand

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Brakes that are out of adjustment can be detected

By looking at the tires

Just by feeling the brake pedal

Only by a reliable inspection method

Only by listening to brake noise

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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

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.