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Transmission Retarder?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Dec 8, 2013 #1
    SlugLife

    SlugLife Light Load Member

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    Sep 5, 2013
    Chatham County, North Carolina
    0
    So I'm finally in my own truck at Ozark. They put me in one of the VERY few Volvos they have in the fleet. Actually like it better than the Columbia they were about to put me in until the ECU started vomiting rpms at me. I'm pretty sure this little Volvo isn't gonna pull nearly as strong as the Cascadia I drove through my training.

    Anyway, going over the truck and trying to decipher all the gauges and switches and such (silly swedes doing things their own way) I noticed a handle on the steering column that is apparently a transmission retarder. Being new I've never heard of such a thing. And figured I'd ask about it here instead of another driver (internet shields everyone from embarrassment, right?)

    I'm assuming the transmission retarder is pretty much used in the same way an engine brake would be used???

    Oh yeah, pulled my first load alone into Dallas. HOLY CRAP ICE!!!!!! I've been sitting here since Saturday morning waiting for ice to melt.
     
    SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013
    SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013
    #1
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  3. Dec 8, 2013 #2
    SlugLife

    SlugLife Light Load Member

    60
    27
    Sep 5, 2013
    Chatham County, North Carolina
    0
    And after doing some more reading in the manual in even more confused. The symbol on this little handle is a PLUS sign. Manual says this is a transmission retarder. However manual also says the day cab Volvo is the only one that has this. I'm definitely not in a day cab. I haven't used it yet because I've been driving in ice so hopefully I can figure this one out before my run tomorrow.
     
    SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013
    SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013
    #2
  4. Dec 8, 2013 #3
    milkman83

    milkman83 Light Load Member

    80
    52
    Aug 30, 2012
    Syracuse, NY
    0
    Slug,

    I drove a 2008 Volvo 670 with the Volvo D13 engine for about 2 years. I had two or three stalks coming out of the steering column; one on the left and either one or two on the right side. If I remember correctly, the left side controlled the turn signals, wipers, and cruise, and the right side controlled the dash menu and engine brake. The plus and minus sign dealt with the "cruise brake," I think the manual called it. Basically, a driver can increase or decrease the difference in mph that engages the engine brake while the cruise is on. In other words, if you're cruising at 65, you can set the engine brake to engage when gaining speed going downhill at 66, 67, 68 mph, and so on. Volvos also have a convenient "auto" setting for the engine brake that will engage the brake when the brake pedal is depressed. Hope this helps. Stay safe.
     
    milkman83, Dec 8, 2013
    milkman83, Dec 8, 2013
    #3
  5. Dec 8, 2013 #4
    SlugLife

    SlugLife Light Load Member

    60
    27
    Sep 5, 2013
    Chatham County, North Carolina
    0
    jVRAgyQ.jpg

    Hopefully this picture thing works.
    Here's what I'm talking about tho. It's strange... The engine brake stalk is supposed to have a symbol of an engine on it. Mine has that plus symbol.

    Also it's a '10 with the D13 485hp in it. So the door label says anyway.
     
    SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013
    SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013
    #4
  7. Dec 8, 2013 #5
    milkman83

    milkman83 Light Load Member

    80
    52
    Aug 30, 2012
    Syracuse, NY
    0
    The markings on the stalk are, in descending order, "Off," "Auto," and engine brake levels 1-3. The toggle switch on the end of the stalk is used to adjust the cruise brake described earlier. These are your engine brake controls. I agree that it looks strange, and it took me a while to figure out how it works. I went at least a couple of weeks without using the engine brake when I started in the Volvo, a bad idea going through mountains as a new solo driver. I'd encourage you to test out the controls in good road conditions with gentle declines and see what works best for you, but most of the time, I stayed in auto mode in good conditions and off in poor conditions.
     
    milkman83, Dec 8, 2013
    milkman83, Dec 8, 2013
    #5
  8. Dec 8, 2013 #6
    SlugLife

    SlugLife Light Load Member

    60
    27
    Sep 5, 2013
    Chatham County, North Carolina
    0
    Awesome. Thanks for the replies. I was a little concerned this beast didn't have an engine brake because I spent a lot of time in the mountains with my trainer and his Cascadia and I used the engine brake ALOT. I'll need to figure out what the settings feel like as soon as I get some decent weather.
     
    SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013
    SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013
    #6
    baha Thanks this.
  9. Dec 8, 2013 #7
    jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

    924
    553
    Oct 25, 2012
    south english iowa
    0
    they did have retarders back in the 70s,but dont think they make them any more. they were heavy and if i remember were about a $3,000 option. and if you got the oil hot they didnt work very well,run one for years and never did have that problem. be safe out there
     
    jbourque, Dec 8, 2013
    jbourque, Dec 8, 2013
    #7
  10. Dec 8, 2013 #8
    PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    El Chuco, Tejas
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    Volvo uses the same dash components on its FH cab over in Europe and Australia as it does on the VN conventional trucks in north America so it's sort of an international symbol for supplemental braking I guess you could say.
     
    PackRatTDI, Dec 8, 2013
    PackRatTDI, Dec 8, 2013
    #8
  11. Dec 8, 2013 #9
    PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    El Chuco, Tejas
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    I pretty much leave mine in auto mode too.
     
    PackRatTDI, Dec 8, 2013
    PackRatTDI, Dec 8, 2013
    #9
  12. Dec 9, 2013 #10
    Mr Ed

    Mr Ed Road Train Member

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    Apr 6, 2009
    Retired in Taunton Ma
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    I have a 13 speed,the steering wheel holder has an auto,when he drives my truck he is a transmission retardee
     
    Mr Ed, Dec 9, 2013
    Mr Ed, Dec 9, 2013
    #10
    double yellow Thanks this.
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