IC Bus Gasoline CE Series, Operation And Maintenance Manual, Page: 133 / 241

Operation
Brakes
Downhill Operation
Always descend hills with extreme care. Heed warning signs
posted for any grade. Stop and check brakes for condition and
adjustment at available pull off areas before starting a descent.
Observe the following precautions:
• Never coast downhill. Service brakes alone should not
be used to control speed on major downgrades. Brakes
fade from overuse.
• The downhill speed is controlled by removing your foot
from the accelerator pedal and putting the transmission
in a reduced gear. If the gear selection does not hold the
desired speed without overuse of the brakes, an improper
gear selection was made.
• Make a full stop. Let the brakes cool, then continue down
the grade in a lower gear range.
• The common rule to follow in using the engine and
transmission to control vehicle speed is to select the
same gear going down the hill that would be required to
ascend the hill.
• The service brakes should be used to supplement
available vehicle retardation.
When descending long
grades requiring use of the brakes, short applications
(5 - 10 seconds duration) should be made rather than
long, lighter, continuous applications.
This minimizes
temperature brake fade.
Warning Indicators
Electronic gauge cluster indicators identify brake system fault
conditions. Certain faults may also result in cluster alarms. The
following lists some of the common faults (see fault indicators in
Instrumentation section):
NOTE: Whenever a brake system warning indicator is lit, do
not operate the vehicle until the faulty condition has been
corrected.
• Brake Pressure. ON STEADY when either front or rear
brake system brake pressure failure is detected. This
lamp will illuminate during Key ON Engine OFF to indicate
that the vehicle will have reduced braking ability.
• Brake Fluid. ON steady when low fluid level is detected
in master cylinder reservoir.
• Service Parking Brake (Air Operated Parking Brake).
ON steady when a fault is detected in parking brake circuit
of the Air operated parking brake system.
NOTE: There may be a fault condition that results in more
than one warning indicator being lit.
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