I ran maxi flat in the mountains for 10 years. I always used the engine brake coming off a pass no matter the road conditions. Sometimes it was only the first or second stage but I used it. Guys that drag their brakes all the way off a mountain just glaze up the road and pretty soon they’re sliding.
Driving an automatic on icy roads and taking off on hills?
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by OldeSkool, Nov 21, 2024.
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striker, Oxbow, snowwy and 1 other person Thank this.
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I also always use engine brakes coming down. Key in my opinion has been that I'm in manual and starting slow right at the top and just let it crawl off. I can see if your only using it when in a corner and getting that quick drop of gears and/or kick from it engaging would cause slippage .... But when it's just steady application in slower speeds than you think you need it's just a major help. I came over multiple passes with 7+% downgrades last night on US-50 around Ely NV with snowy conditions. Also used combination Jake brakes and Telma Retarders (drive line magnet) over 20+ years in fire engines the same way on very slick roads. It's just like braking, slow steady application vs a hard quick slam.
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Hammer166, OldeSkool, Oxbow and 1 other person Thank this.
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Yep. You can forget trying to beat traffic.
Ain't gonna happen.OldeSkool Thanks this. -
Thanks for good advice!Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2024
OldeSkool Thanks this. -
Or say you're following US 60 from Cario to Paducah. There's a left hand turn where you start on level ground, then after 4 feet there is a short, steep incline. Back with manuals I told my guys to make the quit shift from 2 to 3 and then just stay in 3rd through the turn. Odds are if you try to get the 4th you'll end up lugging and need to stop in the middle of the turn. The autos will make a series of bad shift choices or just get confused and stammer.
Then you have the turns where it tosses you into ecoast midway through. Or the slow maneuvers where it you add just a smidge too much fuel and it upshifts.
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