College

If the spring brakes are activated, you should never:

A) Engage the parking brake
B) Release the trailer brakes
C) Attempt to drive the vehicle
D) Apply the service brakes

Answer :

Final answer:

The correct action to avoid when spring brakes are activated is to never attempt to drive the vehicle. Doing so can result in severe damage to the brake system or create uncontrollable vehicle conditions, risking safety. Other options provided do not pose the same level of risk but are related to managing the vehicle's brake systems.

Explanation:

The question pertains to what actions should not be taken when the spring brakes are activated on a vehicle. If the spring brakes are activated, you should never attempt to drive the vehicle. The spring brake system is typically used on large commercial vehicles as a parking brake and emergency brake system. When the spring brakes are activated, it means the air pressure has dropped to a critical level, causing the springs to expand and apply the brakes, effectively immobilizing the vehicle. Attempting to drive the vehicle in this state could result in severe damage to the brake system or cause the vehicle to be uncontrollable, putting the driver and others on the road at significant risk.

Option A, engaging the parking brake, might seem like an unnecessary action since the spring brakes already perform the function of holding the vehicle stationary, but doing so does not pose a direct risk as attempting to drive the vehicle does. Options B and D, releasing the trailer brakes and applying the service brakes, are actions related to managing the vehicle's brake systems but do not pose immediate risks like attempting to drive with activated spring brakes.