If traveling on a steep downgrade at 40 mph, to what speed should you reduce before reapplying service brakes?

When traveling on a steep downgrade, it is crucial to reduce speed before reapplying the service brakes to prevent overheating and ensure effective braking. Reducing your speed to 35 mph allows for a safer approach to handling the descent.

At this speed, the driver can maintain better control of the vehicle while using the brakes, which helps reduce the risk of brake failure due to excessive heat buildup that can occur when brakes are applied continuously from a high speed. Choosing a speed like 35 mph strikes a balance, providing enough braking power to maintain control without compromising safety or risking brake system performance.

In this context, selecting a speed that is too low, such as 25 mph, may not be necessary for a 40 mph descent, while a speed like 45 mph would not provide the necessary reduction required to safely manage the descent. Therefore, reducing to 35 mph aligns with best practices for operating heavy vehicles on steep grades.