engine break problem

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by johnwayne187, Jun 18, 2017.

  1. johnwayne187

    johnwayne187 Medium Load Member

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    they assigned me with a automatic peterbilt 579. im used to the frieghtliners, the engine break is completely different from what im used to. im on i-70 in colorado and last night, i notice there was lot of smoke comin from the tandems. my question is, how do i use the engine break for the peterbilt 579 automatic, i thought i was doin sumthin good when i was using the engine break but i was wrong, plus i was going extremely slow and smoke was still coming from the tires. what is the problem here?
    EDIT: i was doing sumthin wrong the whole time, i wasnt using the engine break i was using sumthin else the whole time. thats why there was smoke, i just look at the online driver manual. i hope nuthin is damaged
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2017
    Reason for edit: founded solution to the problem
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  3. Raezzor

    Raezzor Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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    How can an engine brake cause your tires to smoke? Or do you mean they have some sort of transmission or electric retarder in addition to the engine retarders? Even those shouldn't smoke, though. I'd get in touch with your companies maintenance department.
     
  4. johnwayne187

    johnwayne187 Medium Load Member

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    i dont think it has any, any tips on how to use it?
     
  5. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    [unfamiliar] Automatic .. unfamiliar engine brake system ... Vail/Eisenhower pass ... possible new driver ... what could possibly go wrong?

    I can't help you other then to ask did it sound or seem like the engine brake was engaging when you wanted it to? Just because you have an engine brake, doesn't mean you can go down Eisenhower willy-nilly, with no concern for brake overheat issues.
     
  6. johnwayne187

    johnwayne187 Medium Load Member

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    engine was engaged, i felt the stoppin power. i do not know if i was over using it causin the brakes to overheat creatin the smoke. i normally use both engine break and lightly tappin on the brake to avoid the same problem im havin right now. but for some reason smoke was still comin from the tandems and i wasnt goin fast at all. i was below 40 mph, im around 76k pounds btw but in the frieghtliners tht i was drivin. i had no problem even at tht weight cap
     
  7. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    The engine brake only slows the engine. You would have to apply the brakes for the tandems to smoke. Were you applying the brakes ? Are the brakes adjusted properly ?
     
  8. johnwayne187

    johnwayne187 Medium Load Member

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    the brakes are adjusted properly, "You would have to apply the brakes for the tandems to smoke" are u sayin i shouldnt apply the brake, just use the engine break instead?
     
  9. Sublime

    Sublime Road Train Member

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    Wow. If ever there was a case for extended training...
     
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  10. Slowpoke KW

    Slowpoke KW Road Train Member

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    OK
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    .
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2017
  11. johnwayne187

    johnwayne187 Medium Load Member

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    i was doing sumthin wrong the whole time, i wasnt using the engine break i was using sumthin else the whole time. thats why there was smoke, i just look at the online driver manual. i hope nuthin is damaged
     
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