Automatic Truck Down a Hill

Just before you start down the grade put it in hold in a low enough gear to hold you back, use the jake if you have one, then you might still need to feather your brakes. Waiting till your already gaining speed down the grade is usually too late...

 

I drive a 09 volvo. # 80,000 lbs you should have no problem with using the jake. Remember to always enter a down grade # a slow enough speed that will allow the jake to hold you. It is NOT A RACE to be the first down a hill. Find a speed that the jake will hold and feather the brakes when needed.

 

An autoshift is no different than a manual trans. Same tranny only shifted automatically. You still have to know your rpm's and speeds in all gears and choose appropriate gear BEFORE heading off down a steep grade. Once you are over the crest it is soon going to be too late. Glad you got through without getting yourself or someone else hurt. You should choose a gear that will hold you at max speed for terrain with jakes on. Should never be more than about 5mph over that. Your brakes can bring you back down to your max for a short period but the engine has to do most of the slower downing.

 

You should go down hills in a gear low enough to allow the engine brake to hold the truck back and only use the brakes to check your speed, braking only about 25% of the time. This allows the brakes to cool more than you use them. If you're useing the brakes more than 25% of the time you're going too fast.