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Q

10. Retarders:

General Knowledgemedium
ACause extra brake wear.
BAllow you to disconnect the steering axle brakes.
CCan cause the drive wheels to skid when they have poor traction.

Detailed Explanation

Retarders slow the drive wheels and reduce service-brake use. Turn them off on wet, icy or snow-covered roads.

Official reference: Oregon CDL Manual 2.3.4: Retarders

Correct Answer: Can cause the drive wheels to skid when they have poor traction.

Why This Matters on the CDL Test

Drive-wheel grip.

How to Remember It

Slippery: retarder off.

Answer Review

Retarding force can exceed traction.

Why the other answers are weaker

  • Cause extra brake wear.They reduce service-brake use.
  • Allow you to disconnect the steering axle brakes.Retarders do not replace brakes.

Test-Day Checklist

  1. Read the question once for the topic, then read it again for the exact CDL action being tested in General Knowledge.
  2. Eliminate answers that sound convenient but skip an inspection, warning sign, or safety step.
  3. Say the correct rule out loud before moving on so you can recognize it when the exam changes the wording.
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