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Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:53:30 +0200, Eero Ahonen wrote:
>
>> Yes, also on drum brakes. But why on earth would you engage brakes
>> fully, if you're not trying to stop the car as quickly as possible?
>
> Because slamming on the brakes on ice doesn't have that effect.
True, but the optimal braking with almost locked tires is pretty hard
thing to do - usually it's much wiser to just hit the brakes fully, if
you're trying to stop the car ASAP for some reason.
> Yes, but that's the reason to do that. Similarly, for going down steep
> inclines, using the engine to slow the vehicle down rather than the
> brakes keeps you from burning the brakes out.
Yes, engine braking is certainly more economical than using brakes (it
saves both brakes and fuel).
> I don't do it on ice. You can (and I can) lock the wheels driving at 50
> MPH with the brakes, but that also is likely to cause an uncontrollable
> skid - though a shorter one - and often that is more desirable than
> running into whatever it is that you're braking hard to avoid.
Yep, and the same laws work also on ice and on snow, braking distances
just grow even exponentially.
> Jim
-Aero
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