Engine Braking ???

Those who are the reason for the "no engine brake" laws know who they are and do so at their own peril. Personally, having a factory stock muffler system (2 now) I don't worry about it. A cop would be hard pressed to write me up for engine braking because he "heard" it.

 

In the Prostar I ignore the signs. It someone had good enough hearing to know I was using them I would be amazed. The truck whistles more than rumble when engine braking.

 

I cant think of any place that I have been that I would cook my brakes not using my jakes due to a posted sign.
just saying,
b

 

I would ignore your boss, it is your CDL and he doesn't care what happens as long as it doesn't cost him or the company money. Having one reason to pull you over, the cop can now look for other reasons to write you up and then if he is in a bad mood, have you go through a level one which he can make you sit for a long time as he goes from front to back of your truck looking for something to add to that citation. Beside the problem of you being on the hook for the fine for the engine brakes, you are on the hook for the csa points and any other driver related issues they find like poor pre-trip.

It isn't worth the hassle, just turn them off when you see the sign because there is no reason for their use at that point unless you are headed down hill with a large load on the truck. As for brake wear, don't even worry about that because that little slowing down won't take much off of the shoes unless you are hauling very very heavy weight going down hill.

The engine brakes do not harm the engine no matter what, it is a big air compressor when they are active. get

 

I use mine when needed. Not when I'm 'allowed'. After reading the responses, I suddenly have become very concerned about exactly WHAT they are NOT teaching at the driver schools these days....

 

Same here with my baby Pete 587. You barely know the engine brake is on. But like kidsdad below says, you never really need it anyway when the signs are posted... like on a flat stretch of road in a residential with a posted limit of 35. That's where you see the majority of signs and that's where engine brakes are not needed.

Agreed.

 

Only if your palms get hairy.

 

I can think of about a dozen. Most of them on freeways. I understand the signs on the side streets.