My brakes are smoking when on steep grades.

to activate the jake i believe you either pull down on the right stalk or push it forward. i cant remeber which direction. but there should be 3 settings low medium and high. so just start pulling that stalk and see which direction it moves. to switch to manual mode press that button on the side that has an "a" and an "m"

 

right on man. its important to take hills slower than normal. how far north are you going? the next hills you're gonna face are in redding ca, but you will be going uphill then some short downhills but you still need to be careful with them. take them slower than you think, and dont let other truck drivers rush you.

 

no problem at all man . theres lots of guys on here with mountain experience. #### can happen real fast loaded going down a mountain, especially with a tank. if you have any more questions about it, ill help the best i can. no question is ever to stupid

 

Since you have the DT-12 automatic. You should use the best option it has. DESCENT MODE.

You turn engine brake on stage 2. When you reach speed you want to go downhill press the SET button on cruise control. This will lock the truck into the speed you set it for. The transmission and engine will work together to hold the speed you set it for.

The transmission will probably drop a gear and bring RPMs up to 2,200 and then engine will probably switch engine brakes from stage 3 and 2 automatically to hole the speed you set it for.


You can do the same thing manually by switching engine brake to stage 3 then as truck slows down switch to stage 2 at 1,800 RPMs and let the truck roll fast to about 2,200 RPMs. Then turn stage 3 back on.

 

This conversation could have turned into a ####show, but you were very humble and thankful for the advice. This is rookies getting advice the right way. Great thread all around.

 

Good for OP for listening and understanding how important this is. I cannot believe they did not teach you how to use the Jake’s in a tanker. Glad you are taking this in stride. Like D.Tibbitt said, No question is dumb just ask the right people sometimes. Not everyone is a super trucker and knows everything. I sure the hell don’t and use this forum for a lot of good advice.

 

I have a ‘22 Crapscadia and am surprised you have drum brakes on the tractor. Also that is good advice these fellas are giving you. There are also videos you can watch on Freightliner Smart source that will give you a lot of insight on what you’re driving.