Hello, I'm green with driving trucks
Been otr over a year now with my first company, and I grew up on Tug Hill Plateau, NY so I am no stranger to deep snow.
I am driving a 2019 International LT auto, teaming with the fiance
Were in Wisconsin and have to be in San Fran monday morning (1.9.19)
Last time I took steep grades with this truck it was icy, and I had a tough time keeping it smooth down hill (Lookout & 4th July pass) You see, this truck has a messed up Jake, and you have to apply the brake in order for it to turn on. Then it wants to shift all over the place and jerk you around.
I have found that I can set the cruise to minimum of 25mph and it Jake's at 4+mph, staying steady... it's stupid to "cruise" down a hill especially on ice but its the only way to go smoothly.
Does anyone have advice on how I can perform this better?
Sorry for the long post. This truck is not made for this type of driving, it's kinda dangerous honestly. I wont let my lady go down these hills like this, I just drive on her clock if I have to. If you're answer is, "get in a different truck" that is also what I'm thinking as well. Thanks for your time
Ice/Snow question regarding an automatic trans down steep grades
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by XxdiggitxX, Dec 6, 2019.
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Also, I am aware that Jake's on ice risks a jackknife
Lepton1 Thanks this. -
Is there a manual mode that allows you to select your gear?
Lepton1 and XxdiggitxX Thank this. -
There should be a way to put it in a set gear and let the motor hold your speed
XxdiggitxX and homeskillet Thank this. -
Brake down to the speed you want and apply jake. Keep rpm between 1500 to 2000 to prevent it from shifting up or down. Stab brake as necessary.
Even locked in they'll jump a gear if you overspeed the transmission.
You won't jacknife with jake on. You'll jacknife if you apply jake and aren't prepared for the additional braking force being applied suddenly. If your jake is messed up, get it fixed. Important piece of safety equipment.
Learn your truck, pattern out the gears, and then just drive it like it was a manual basically.bryan21384, LoneRanger, XxdiggitxX and 1 other person Thank this. -
I always put mine in manual mode when going downhill. Check to see if u could do that.. These auto trannys is gonna get ppl killed one of these days. Be safe driver
tscottme, Lepton1, XxdiggitxX and 1 other person Thank this. -
Have you said anything to your company about this? There should be a setting in the ECM that will fix that problem, your jake should come on when you let off the pedal. Next time you get to the shop ask them to check it out.
Lepton1 and XxdiggitxX Thank this. -
I have a simple solution. I'm not sure if their is anything special about the auto transmission you have. I have the Freightliner DT-12 automatic.
You just turn off the Jake brake and turn off the cruise control. You down hill with light steady pressure on the brakes of 10psi or less(hopefully your truck has an Applied brake air pressure gauge) you use all the brakes, not the Jake brake. Because the differentials will put all the Jake brake power to the tires with the least amount of traction. Your better off using all the brakes for the most traction from all the tires.tscottme, Lepton1 and XxdiggitxX Thank this. -
@D.Tibbitt yes, I have the manual selection, although my Jake's dont work in manual mode. I agree, these autos are dangerous
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@tnevin225 apparently all of the new LT's come like this, and I have been told it cannot be reprogrammed. I havent been able to confirm it though
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