Exhaust brake on 2015 Silverado

The EB in my last truck had a toggle on/off and could be left on all the time. I don't miss it.

I'm used to turning it on and off depending on conditions.

Common complaint in the past have been with trucks where the EB has to be activated when the truck is first started and cannot be later activated. With the GM trucks since 2011 all it takes is a push of a button on the dash and when the EB is on there is a light on the button that is easy to see (unlike the tiny 4WD indicator light).

GM has a "grade control" feature that only works in automatic mode and is disabled in Range select mode with the transmission. It works independent of the EB and 90% of the time it is all I need with my truck. It will generally keep the speed below 40 MPH and if I tap on the brakes the computer adjusts and the transmission will downshift and the speed will be kept around 25 MPH.

The tow/haul mode also operates independent of grade control and of the EB. GM recommends it only for use when the total truck and trailer weight is more than 75% of the GCWR of the truck. For my truck that translates into a tow load of more than 17,000 lbs. though in reality I use the tow/haul mode with loads over 3,000 lbs. when in the mountains.

The tow/haul mode is designed to minimize heat buildup in the transmission by changing shift points and keeping the torque converter locked longer. I have been at 8,000 feet pulling a heavy load with ambient air temperatures of 110 degrees and not had the ATF temp too high even after pulling a 8% grade. I see no reason to burn more fuel by engaging tow/haul mode if the ATF temp is within its operating range.

N-Trouble wrote:

Dayle1 wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
You will have to re-enable the EB each time you cycle the ignition on the truck.

Yea, that is the one thing I don't like about it. After hours of towing, you get used to the EB slowing the rig down and when/how hard to apply the brakes. Then stop for a bite to eat or whatever and forget to turn it back on. The next stop could be disaster.

I wish the ignition switch did not reset the EB switch.

Yep that's usually how I find out I forgot to re-enable it. From what I have heard the manufacturers do this for safety reasons. Lets say you drive the truck with EB on and sometime later the wifey takes the truck out, only its been snowing or ice conditions on the road she's going to quickly find out the EB was never turned off while the truck is wildly spinning out of control when coming to a stop.

While I could see this happening, living in Cali snow/ice is a non-issue for me so I really wish they gave the owner the option in the DIC to override this and allow it to stay on between ignition cycles. The location of the switch on my 2012 is also not that great. You can't see the light unless you lean down to look at it. Ideally I would just like the EB to come on anytime I have Tow/Haul enabled. I can't think of anytime I have had it with T/H on and not wanted to EB also on. They really go hand-in-hand.

I can say the same for mine in reverse, I have to manually turn mine off when connected to a trailer, but have never checked to see if it can be changed to manual all the time . Its really a non issue for me . I guess there could be a time towing with slick condition, but initially I have to turn on the EB after hooking up the trailer, after that as long as I am connected it remains on. It is kind of automatic now for me when hooked up, adjust the mirrors, turn on EB, and T/H , check lights ,and off I go.

I agree the T/H and EB do go hand in hand, but I turn my EB on regardless of towing or not, but leave the T/H off. but it is not all that effective in town, it does not remain on under 1100 RPM's or 1st gear.

Dayle1 wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
You will have to re-enable the EB each time you cycle the ignition on the truck.

Yea, that is the one thing I don't like about it. After hours of towing, you get used to the EB slowing the rig down and when/how hard to apply the brakes. Then stop for a bite to eat or whatever and forget to turn it back on. The next stop could be disaster.

I wish the ignition switch did not reset the EB switch.

Yep that's usually how I find out I forgot to re-enable it. From what I have heard the manufacturers do this for safety reasons. Lets say you drive the truck with EB on and sometime later the wifey takes the truck out, only its been snowing or ice conditions on the road she's going to quickly find out the EB was never turned off while the truck is wildly spinning out of control when coming to a stop.

While I could see this happening, living in Cali snow/ice is a non-issue for me so I really wish they gave the owner the option in the DIC to override this and allow it to stay on between ignition cycles. The location of the switch on my 2012 is also not that great. You can't see the light unless you lean down to look at it. Ideally I would just like the EB to come on anytime I have Tow/Haul enabled. I can't think of anytime I have had it with T/H on and not wanted to EB also on. They really go hand-in-hand.

fly-boy wrote:
It works fabulous- My only request is that they program it to work in first gear.
Not sure if it is the turbo vanes that don't close or the torque converter that won't lock or both but there are times when it would be nice to have it in first gear...

You're correct it's because the TC won't lock in 1st gear due to the chance of stalling and I doubt there's even away to do a manual TC lock like on the older auto transmissions.

It works fabulous- My only request is that they program it to work in first gear.
Not sure if it is the turbo vanes that don't close or the torque converter that won't lock or both but there are times when it would be nice to have it in first gear...

Dayle1 wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
You will have to re-enable the EB each time you cycle the ignition on the truck.

Yea, that is the one thing I don't like about it. After hours of towing, you get used to the EB slowing the rig down and when/how hard to apply the brakes. Then stop for a bite to eat or whatever and forget to turn it back on. The next stop could be disaster.

I wish the ignition switch did not reset the EB switch.

If not mistaken my EB on my new Ram comes on as long as the truck is connected to the trailer, the tow/haul does not, has to be turned on every time the ignition is shut off, and back on.

Thanks for all the great replies. I knew I could count on all of you for quick and accurate replies. It sounds like just what I need when towing.

N-Trouble wrote:
You will have to re-enable the EB each time you cycle the ignition on the truck.

Yea, that is the one thing I don't like about it. After hours of towing, you get used to the EB slowing the rig down and when/how hard to apply the brakes. Then stop for a bite to eat or whatever and forget to turn it back on. The next stop could be disaster.

I wish the ignition switch did not reset the EB switch.

You will have to re-enable the EB each time you cycle the ignition on the truck.