No Engine Brakes???

I was taught how not to use them. That comes in handy now since my company "detuned" ours.

 

Yeah I'll admit some of the advances were great! After I got that cell I stopped getting ear infections from those drivers that even when showering 2 times a week never cleaned their ears! And prepass sure did make sitting in Chicago toll booths a thing of the past! Too bad Ohio and Indiana and a few others didn't think so and other states that went with their own system that was just too much BS for companies to apply for all of them.

 

It just takes a little common sense to realize that if you're taching 2200rpm and you're in high gears you're going too fast down the hill. You should be prepared for any surprises on the highway. Sure you can't miss them all but if you drive defensively you're going to avoid most of them. Just stop and think when going down a grade and you're maxed out on speed and rpm's and you round the turn and there's been a rock slide on the road. You'll have a good chance of killing yourself and others.

I haul gasoline so I take a little bit more caution when I go down a grade. I try to use all my senses so the radio goes way down and I crack the window down a bit. I want to hear and smell if there's any problems. Most of the time you'll smell the brakes before you'll see the smoke. I go slow enough so if I had to make a hard stop I could. I let the non-believers go by and pay no attention to any of their gestures until I reach the bottom and they're on the side with brake smoke all over and then I blow the horn and wave.

I don't believe in using the engine brake except when going down the grades. You can say that you save your brakes if you have the Jake on all the time but I'd rather just take my time on the surface streets time my lights and relax. Texaco tried to have the engine brake on all the time and it just did not save them any money. And believe me when these oil companies try something they watch the cost and if it doesn't pay it's gone. Be safe.

 

Thanks, ill take your advise. I appreciate it GasHauler

Ethan

 

I can see why some companies don't put them in the trucks, All you need is some clown to throw the switch at 1900 RPM's and it's all downhill from there.

Yes everyone, Engine brakes do have an operating range.

 

What do you mean?

Ethan

 

Most of the mega carriers didn't have jakes on the trucks back in the 80's and early 90's. Why you freaking out about it. You should be driving so you can stop without the help of a jake any way. I could go on and on but I'll just say that. That kind. Scares me to know I share the road with someone that relies on a me ani al devise that can and has failed. You might want to rethink your driving habits that truck IS NOT a car and it won't stop like one even with a jake

 

some people have a habit of waiting till the engine is rapped out before they decided to flip on the jakes.

although it's not good to even BE running the engine that high. you can get away with it if you leave the jakes on the whole time.

waiting till the engine is rapped out before flipping the jakes on. is a good way to blow out the pistons and rods.

i've seen 3 engines get blown out because company employees don't feel the need to use jakes at lower rpms. they prefer cracking the brakes instead.

 

Exactly, Throwing that switch at very high RPM's will damage the engine after awhile..

 

You sound like you have a good attitude and is willing to listen and learn. That's what it takes and even today I take constructive criticism as a learning tool. You're in more control of the truck when you take it easy and be prepared. The MOST important tip I can give is DO NOT let anyone push you. Do not get outside of your comfort zone and be safe.