You are descending a mountain pass in your bus and notice your brakes are not responding as effectively as they should be. What is this condition called, and what action should you take?

Question: You are descending a mountain pass in your bus and notice your brakes are not responding as effectively as they should be. What is this condition called, and what action should you take?

Answer options: ✅ Brake fade; downshift to a lower gear, apply steady pressure to the foot brake, and look for an escape ramp.

• Brake lock; apply full pressure to the foot brake and maintain steering control.
• Brake drag; accelerate to generate heat and burn off moisture.
• Brake seizure; activate the parking brake and brace for impact.

Correct answer: Brake fade; downshift to a lower gear, apply steady pressure to the foot brake, and look for an escape ramp.

Explanation: Reduced brake effectiveness due to overheating is known as brake fade. The correct response is to downshift to a lower gear to engage engine braking, apply steady, controlled pressure to the 'foot brake' (service brake), and actively search for a runaway lane or escape ramp if available, as a last resort.