Air Brake Driving Techniques & Vehicle Control Flashcards
6 cards from real Air Brake Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Air Brake Driving Techniques & Vehicle Control flashcards as text
What is the recommended following distance for a truck with air brakes at highway speeds?
Answer: One second for every 10 feet of vehicle length
The CDL standard is one second per 10 feet of vehicle length, plus extra time at speeds over 40 mph.
What is 'air brake lag time'?
Answer: The delay between pressing the brake pedal and the brakes actually applying force
Air brake lag is typically about one-half second, during which the vehicle continues moving at full speed before braking begins.
Which three components combine to make up the total stopping distance for a truck with air brakes?
Answer: Perception/reaction distance + brake lag distance + actual braking distance
Total stopping distance is the sum of how far the truck travels during perception/reaction, during brake lag, and during actual braking.
At 55 mph on dry pavement, approximately how many feet does a fully loaded large truck typically need to stop?
Answer: About 300 feet or more
A fully loaded truck at 55 mph on dry pavement can require 300 feet or more to stop safely when all factors are included.
Why can a fully loaded truck sometimes require more stopping distance than an empty truck?
Answer: Greater mass means more kinetic energy must be dissipated during braking
Greater vehicle mass means significantly more kinetic energy at the same speed, requiring more braking force and distance to stop.
How does wet or icy pavement affect the stopping distance of a truck with air brakes?
Answer: It increases significantly due to reduced friction between tires and road
Reduced tire-road friction on wet or icy surfaces greatly increases stopping distance regardless of braking technique.