For long descents on UAE highways like those on Jebel Jais or the Dubai-Hatta road, it is highly recommended to use S gear (Sport mode) or manual mode in a lower gear to leverage engine braking, not exclusively D gear. While D gear is sufficient for minimal gradients, prolonged downhill drives on steep roads require controlled deceleration to prevent brake fade from overheating, especially under typical UAE conditions of high temperatures and fully loaded vehicles (e.g., a family trip in a Toyota Land Cruiser). RTA Dubai consistently advises drivers to utilize engine braking on mountainous roads for enhanced safety. According to a 2023 advisory by the MOI UAE, maintaining a lower gear during descents is a critical defensive driving technique to manage speed without over-relying on brakes. From a practical ownership cost perspective, consider a driver frequently commuting from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai via Jebel Jais, covering 10,000 km annually with ~500 km of significant downhill driving. Constant brake use on these segments can halve brake pad life, necessitating replacements every ~30,000 km instead of 60,000 km for a typical sedan like a Toyota Camry. Using S gear or low gear can extend brake service intervals. The TCO impact is clear: a set of front brake pads for a common GCC-spec SUV costs approximately 600 AED with labor. By reducing replacement frequency by half through proper gear usage, an owner can save around 300 AED annually in maintenance, not accounting for the avoided risk and potential cost of rotor damage from excessive heat. S gear achieves this by holding lower transmission ratios at higher RPM, increasing engine resistance.
