Re: Downshifting problem-Going down a steep down hill can be very dangerous.
Sixty years ago this is something that we were taught BEFORE a driver's license was issued.
Unlike the standard practice today of giving a license TO ANYONE with
little or NO instruction.
Was it a good idea to eliminate driver's education from school programs?
1. If you must use 1st or 2nd to go up a hill it is very important to remember to
stop at the top of the hill and get the transmission into 1st or 2nd BEFORE going downhill.
2. Many Model As still have steel brake drums, many drums are worn thin and will overheat very quickly.
They even overheated when new!
The result is fading brakes in a matter of a few seconds. Before you know it the brakes fade to the point that you have NO BRAKES.
At this point your only option is to downshift to a lower gear. But it is usually too late UNLESS you have practiced
quickly down shifting a non-synchronized transmission
and can do it quickly and can get it right on the first attempt.
This is not the time to fail to complete Downshifting- 101!
3. If your transmission jumps out of gear on flat land it will jump out MUCH quicker on a hill!
In that case it is best to fix it before going down a steep hill.
