How can you prevent brake fade on long descents?

To prevent brake fade on long descents, shifting to a lower gear is the most effective strategy. When you downshift, you increase engine braking, which helps control the vehicle's speed without relying solely on the brake system. This reduces the heat generated by the brakes, preventing them from overheating and losing effectiveness, which is what occurs during brake fade.

Using the brakes continuously can lead to overheating, making this method counterproductive. Engaging cruise control is also not suitable on descents because it may not effectively manage speed without sudden acceleration, increasing the risk of overheating the brakes. Accelerating down the hill clearly contradicts the goal of controlling speed and would exacerbate brake fade by making it necessary to apply the brakes more heavily and frequently. Thus, downshifting to a lower gear effectively utilizes the power of the engine to maintain control and prevent excessive wear on the braking system.