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Safe drivingQuestion 253 of 310

In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, why would you shift down to a lower gear on a long steep hill?

  1. It makes the vehicle go faster downhill
  2. It lets you stop using the steering wheel
  3. It saves fuel by letting the vehicle coast
  4. It gives more braking power and keeps the brakes cooler
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Correct answer: It gives more braking power and keeps the brakes cooler

A lower gear holds the speed down, so you use the brakes less and they stay cooler.

Source: Driver's Handbook (Manitoba Public Insurance, February 2026), Automatic transmission, page 39

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Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026