External Conditions That Affect Brake Performance

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.