Ensure the following conditions are present when road testing
the brakes:
| • | Test the brakes on a dry roadway. |
| • | Test the brakes on a clean roadway. |
| • | Test the brakes on a reasonably smooth roadway. |
| • | Test the brakes on a reasonably level roadway. |
| • | Test the brakes in an area that is free of vehicular and pedestrian
traffic. |
The following conditions prevent a true test of brake performance:
| • | A wet roadway prevents the tires from equally gripping the roadway. |
| • | Road oil prevents the tires from equally gripping the roadway. |
| • | A roadway covered with loose dirt prevents the tires from equally
gripping the roadway. |
| • | A crowned roadway throws the weight of the vehicle toward the
wheels on one side. |
| • | A rough roadway bounces the wheels. |
| • | Tires that have unequal contact and unequal grip on the road cause
unequal braking. Ensure the tires are equally inflated. |
| • | Ensure the tread depth and wear pattern of the right and the left
tires are approximately equal. |
| • | A heavily loaded vehicle requires more braking effort. The most
heavily loaded wheels require more braking power than the other tires, when
a vehicle has unequal loading. |
| • | Misalignment of the wheels cause the vehicle to lead to one side. |
Test the brakes with both light and heavy brake pedal pressure and at
different vehicle speeds .
