What should you NOT do when shifting gears while driving down a grade?

When driving down a grade, it is important to manage your vehicle’s speed effectively, and shifting to a higher gear is not advisable in this scenario. When you shift into a higher gear, the engine operates at lower RPMs, which can reduce the engine's ability to provide necessary engine braking. This can lead to increased speed, making it more difficult to control the vehicle on a downhill slope.

Using engine compression, applying the retarding device, and maintaining speed appropriately are all techniques aimed at managing and reducing speed as needed, ensuring safety while navigating downhill. Therefore, not shifting to a higher gear is key in maintaining proper control and safety while descending a grade.