3 random questions from a new driver

40 mph is 8th gear at a high rpm....no that won't hold you on a mountain. More like 5th gear at 20 mph. The jake brake is about 20% of the braking force of your service brake, depending on the truck. Once you are at 20 mph the jake should hold your speed. If it does not, you need to use the the service brake to slow down more and allow the auto trans to downshift a gear.

You are correct in wanting to have the jake hold your speed.

 

The most important time to use the jake brake is when pulling in truckstops with your straight pipes. It makes you real cool.

 

It's not always activated by letting off the throttle, I have to press the brake pedal to activate it in my current truck I'm driving, and I was in a truck when it was activated by pedal on the floor in the past.

The most common method is to turn it on and then release the throttle

 

WTF??? Not car

 

I edited it... I Really should proof read before hitting post LOL

 

It's a little strange at first but between your fuel petal break petal and occasionally having to hit the little button on the shift you will soon figure out how to drive an auto shift. The truck won't let you do anything it doesn't want anyway so if your trying to down shift and the rpm will be to high the truck isn't going to let you.

 

Tooth brush, tooth paste and bottle of water works well