Before starting down a hill, what is the recommended gearing strategy?

In the context of managing a heavy vehicle down a hill, choosing one gear higher than needed to climb is not the most effective strategy. When descending a hill, the primary goal is to maintain control of the vehicle and prevent it from gaining excessive speed due to gravity.

Selecting a gear that is either the same or lower than what you would use for climbing is essential for effective engine braking. By using a lower gear, the engine helps to control the vehicle's speed through resistance, which is vital on a descent. This process can reduce the reliance on the brake system, thus preventing brake overheating and maintaining better overall safety.

Using the same or a lower gear engages the engine’s power to assist in braking, enhancing stability and control while going downhill. Therefore, the approach of moving to a higher gear could lead to insufficient engine braking and may result in the vehicle speeding uncontrollably downhill.