Gravity causes a vehicle's speed to increase when traveling on a downgrade. Adjust your speed before reaching a downgrade.

When operating a double or triple, the shut-off valves at the rear of last trailer should be closed. All other shut-off valves should be open.

When inspecting the engine compartment, you should check the oil level, coolant level, and windshield washer fluid level, among other things.

Black ice is a layer of ice that is thin and clear enough for the road to be visible through it. The surface will look like a wet road. Always be alert to black ice if the road looks wet when the temperature is below freezing.

When stopping, press down the brake pedal smoothly and gradually.

Hydroplaning is an effect in which a vehicle's tires lose traction with the surface of the road and instead glide along a layer of water. There does not have to be a large amount of water on the road for this to occur.

An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) intervenes to reduce brake pressure if there is a risk of wheel lockup. If the ABS isn't working, the vehicle's basic braking functions are not affected. A driver should continue to drive and brake in a normal manner.

If you have an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) equipped on only the tractor, only the trailer, or only one axle, you will still have more control over the vehicle when braking than you would without ABS. You should brake normally.

Because they are exposed to less sunlight and warm up more slowly, shaded areas will remain icy and slippery after ice on other areas of the road has melted.

When inspecting your brakes, you should check for cracked drums; shoes or pads covered in oil, grease, or brake fluid; and shoes that are missing, broken, or worn dangerously thin.

Strong winds can make it difficult to keep a vehicle in its proper lane. Strong wind can be a particular problem when a vehicle is being driven out of a tunnel.

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is clear enough for the road surface to be seen through it. A road covered in black ice may look like it is merely wet instead of icy. Always be on the lookout for black ice if a road surface looks wet and temperatures are around the freezing mark.

Always watch for hazards on the road ahead. Doing this will allow you time to react to hazards before meeting them.

One way to know when it is time to shift gears is to learn your vehicle's operating rpm range. You should shift up when your engine reaches the top of that range. You can also learn which speeds each gear is good for and shift up based on your speedometer.

Any vehicle with air brakes must be equipped with a low air pressure warning signal.

It is important that the driver of a CMV always downshifts before entering a curve.

If you must stop on the side of the road, you must place the appropriate emergency warning devices within 10 minutes of stopping.

The function of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to help prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. With ABS equipped on your vehicle, you should drive and brake in the same manner that you would without it.

When driving at dawn, at dusk, or in inclement weather, you should use your headlights on their low beam setting to increase your visibility.

When making mirror checks, you should look at the mirrors fairly quickly. If you spend too much time looking in a mirror, you may travel a substantial distance down the road without seeing what is coming up ahead.