Why is it important to properly connect glad hands?

Properly connecting glad hands is crucial because it prevents air leaks in the air brake system of a combination vehicle. Glad hands are the couplings used to connect the air lines between the tractor and the trailer. If these connections are not secure, air can escape, which may lead to a failure of the braking system. This could result in dangerous driving conditions, as the brakes may not function properly when needed.

Maintaining tire pressure is not directly related to the connection of glad hands, as this involves a different system altogether. Navigational accuracy also does not pertain to the function of glad hands, which strictly deals with the air supply for braking. Finally, while engine performance may be affected by various factors, the proper connection of glad hands does not directly influence engine performance, as it focuses exclusively on the safe operation of the air brake system.