Georgia Commercial Driver License Practice Test

When are the spring brakes typically engaged in a vehicle?

1. At low speeds

2. When air pressure is lost

3. While turning

4. During acceleration

The correct answer is: When air pressure is lost

Spring brakes are an essential safety feature in heavy commercial vehicles. They are designed to engage automatically when the vehicle's air pressure drops below a certain threshold, typically due to a malfunction or air leak in the braking system. This system uses stored spring energy to apply the brakes, ensuring that the vehicle remains stationary and preventing it from rolling away if the air brakes fail. When air pressure is lost, it directly triggers the spring brakes to activate, providing a fail-safe mechanism that helps avoid potential accidents and ensures that the vehicle is brought to a stop safely. In instances where the air pressure is adequate, the service brakes can be utilized normally; however, once that pressure is compromised, the spring brakes engage as a precautionary measure. Other scenarios, such as low speeds, turning, or acceleration, do not typically involve the automatic engagement of spring brakes. Instead, these circumstances rely on the standard braking systems or driver input to manage the vehicle's stopping needs. Therefore, the condition of losing air pressure is critical and directly correlates with the engagement of spring brakes.