How do you use your engine brake?

[Jim]

Moderator, please move if in the wrong forum.

Recently I have been driving with my engine brake on. Like many of you, I have 3 settings on my engine braking system, and I've been leaving it on the "low' setting. On my previous DP, I never turned the engine brake on unless:

• I saw a need for it coming up,
• or I needed to start slowing down quickly.

The first is OK, because you have time to make the decision and act accordingly. The second option is problematic, as it takes a second or two to reach over and click the brake "on", and that extra bit might be the time you need to slow that rolling mass of metal down safely.

I have found it's nice to have the extra braking at hand when your approaching a stale green light that decides to change from stale to RED! No panic hunt for the switch, it's already doing what it's supposed to do.

And those times when I need to carry speed down a hill (to assist in going up the other side), I just use a neutral throttle to keep the brake from coming on. Or, if necessary, I use a little bit of throttle to keep the brake at bay.

What are the rest of you doing?

 

[sheridany]

I drive with mine on all the time. It works in synch with the cruise and will use it to keep at the set speed. This works really well coming down a grade as I set the speed I want to descend and let the coach manage the speed. You have to get a feel for the setting you want to be at because like you I sure don’t want to be hunting for it when I realize I need it. You get pretty good at assessing the setting to be at after a few times. I came down a grade once in my newmar and lost the sustained speed and never did that again.

 

[Buly]

I use it mostly going downheel or if needed to slow down when needed.
My thinking is, brake pads replacement is cheaper than having to deal with transmission rebuilding? I may be wrong?

 

[sheridany]

The name of the game is manage your rpm’s and hopefully never rebuild the tranny. I like the cruise control method but certainly can be done manually if one desires. It’s all about what you are comfortable with. I just know I don’t want to be fumbling looking for a switch or settings. I set mine on 2-3 out of 6 and leave it there.

 

[Chargerman]

I installed a foot switch on my Monaco. I didn’t like it on all of the time and I was also tired of hunting for the switch and taking my eyes off the road. The installation was easy and not it’s easy to activate the Jake when needed. Highly recommend it.

 

[Fish]

I never use mine. Probably should turn it on once in a while. Don't really go anywhere it's needed. Also never use cruise. I used the exhaust brake regularly on my dually though, used to leave it on most of the time.

 

[Neal]

Mine is always on except for two scenarios:

1. Hydroplaning concern
2. In city driving such as when off highway and approaching campground, etc. I was "schooled" by @DutchStarDon years ago that leaving it on all the time could cause glazing of the brakes so since then I turn it off when off the highway.

 

[Buly]

I forgot to mention that if I am cruising on the highway with engine brake on, every time I take my foot of the accelerator, the brake lights come on.
That activates the brakes on the tow car, wearing off the brakes.
Also must be annoying to people following, to see my brake lights on and off for no reason?

 

[Buly]

Mine is always on except for two scenarios:

1. Hydroplaning concern
2. In city driving such as when off highway and approaching campground, etc. I was "schooled" by @DutchStarDon years ago that leaving it on all the time could cause glazing of the brakes so since then I turn it off when off the highway.

Trying to understand why the brakes will glaze by using the engine brake in city traffic?

 

[DKRITTER]

Buly, me too.

I almost always leave mine on low, I've "played" with it some on high and thought it was to aggressive. Most of our driving is in Texas and Oklahoma so low works well.

Last summer we went to Colorado and Wyoming and I did use high frequently, like coming out of Eisenhower Tunnel into Denver. It worked great.