Engine braking vs foot braking in snow/Ice.

The problem with using the jake on slippery surfaces is it can't be modulated, it's either on or off. In the time it would take a driver to turn it off in the event of a slide it would more than likely be too late to recover from the slide.

Using the foot brake gives a driver infinite control of braking force application and the chance of recovery from a slide has a quicker response and is much more likely.

When brakes are applied by the driver they come on gradually as the applied air pressure increases, turning on a jake is instant.

 

Panicked drivers who bunch up and don't travel at a smooth speed are much more likely to crash or cause a crash as they are reacting to each other and not the road conditions. And they are creating a bigger hazard than the road conditions.

I slip my tires on purpose (when it is safe) to know what my traction limits are and have a feel for how my rig is going to react.

 

Very true.. I'll do whatever I feel I need to do to get passed brake lights whether 4-wheelers or big trucks.. The worst driving habit on bad roads IMO is inconsistancy and brakes..

I like that you do that.. When nobody is around me I'll drop a gear and floor it to see what happens or hit the brakes to see how fast the kite locks..

You clearly get it and understand the "feel" aspect of driving.. Love it..

 

Well, that's true, but I don't think most drivers want to turn their engines off while they're driving.

 

I'm sorry if you thought that the comment was directed at you Cynical Driver,it was meant for someone else.

 

You do realise that over Idle seed if you remove your foot from the throttle the engine goes to no fuel position.
Braking on a grade is a learning operation, using the Jake's is one option, in a higher gear lower RPM, as is stab braking, or running in a lower gear with higher revs.
What ever works for you, and you feel comfortable doing is great, you know your own equipment, and skill level.

 

I was guessing at the 30 Rerun. I could not remember what the angle was.
I have gotten out of one that was over 20 degrees before. But that was total luck.
I use to have to run PA-27 to PA-227 and down to 8 in Oil City all the time. I was working out of Warren PA.
Not a fun route in the winter.

 

I face this all the time. If not too slick, I will leave the Jake on a lower setting and use the brakes and the jake. If I start to slide I will go right onto the clutch. But I have never slid. If very very slippery, NO jake, and very gentle braking. I will also slow way down at the top of the hill and just let it roll. Loaded I am 140,000 pounds and you get going pretty #### quick. I love all these roads all have corners at the bottom too.

Just think about steady steady steady.

A note on my Jake, if I have the cruise on and the jakes on the only way the jake is activated is if I step on the brake, when i release the brake pressure the jakes stay on until I go back on the throttle or clutch. I like this setting lots!

 

It's not a black and white answer, it is a feel and many differing conditions to consider really. Tires, Jake power, temperature, trailer configuration, trailer weight, length of grade, grade of grade, type of snow or ice, etc.