Exhaust Brake

Turn it on/off as you want. Won't hurt a thing, especially while on warranty ;)

The manual for my '15 Duramax says to turn on the EB right after starting the engine. Does this mean I can't (or shouldn't) turn it on when I realize I'm approaching a long downgrade?

Not having an exhaust brake would be a huge mistake. I wouldn't own a diesel that didn't have one.
That said, I want the ability to turn it on/off as needed.

"With a torque rating in the mid-500s (lb-ft) and more than 300 horsepower, the Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel will provide light truck customers the combination of towing capacity and mileage that is expected in the highly-competitive North American truck marketplace."

Do any diesels automatically turn on the exhaust brake when you, for example, go into Tow/Haul mode?

I ask because nobody has seen an EB on/off switch on the new Nissan Titan XD with the Cummins 5L. Just wondering if, in fact, that feature of the Cummins has been implemented. I can't imagine them leaving it on all the time for fuel economy reasons?

I've had an exhaust brake (turbo brake) on my 2006 Duramax for the past 7 years. My experience with driving while on is that fuel mileage is decreased some. When I could be coasting down a hill, it slows me down to where i have to press the pedal to go.
I have had absolutely no negative effects having it on while not towing. And yes, it does help slow the truck down going down hills or coming to a stop.
All the arguments not to use it while towing are nill. To call someone stupid or lazy for using the turbo brake shows their ignorance on the subject. It takes effort to turn on the EB every time so there goes the lazy arguement.

The EB doesn't come on until the engine reaches around 1,800 rpm's. So the EB doesn't always come on as soon as the pedal is lifted.

Turbo vanes are all over the place from the moment the truck is started (at least on most '06 and up diesels). The carbon build up isn't something to worry about. At least not from the vanes not moving.

Yes, with the EB on, it activates when you let the throttle up and slows the truck.

If you travel west to the mountains, you will appreciate having it.

06Fargo wrote:
Why don't gasohol engines in pickups have exhaust brakes?

Because they have throttle plates. Blocking the exhaust also wouldn't add anything. At 3.5 liter, the EcoBoost is just too small to do a lot of good in this regard. But if 4000 rpm is maintaining the speed you want I suppose it's doing okay. The engine certainly doesn't mind that rpm.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
You can do what you want with your truck. I always turn on EB and TH after starting the truck. Service MGR at Dave smith Motors suggested I do so all the time. Head West coast Chrysler Warranty person says to do so.

Fact is line pressures are higher in TH and it keeps your engine rpm's up and trans in the proper gear for the speed you are driving. When driving thru town without TH and you apply the go pedal and you are in 6th you are adding stress to your torque converter. Keeping EB on with TH makes the Service brakes last longer. Turbo stays working better.

I'm looking forward to the experience and appreciate your insight. I don't see where using the EB could hurt anything.

In your experience, with the EB on does the truck start slowing down when you let off the go pedal? Or does it act just like the EB is off until you get on the brakes?

Why don't gasohol engines in pickups have exhaust brakes?

1st road trip with work F1 fitty ECO boost I thought truck go crazy! the trans shifted down to a 4000 rpm engine gear to hold downhill speed on cruise...

Sport45 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Sport45 wrote:
I didn't advocate towing without the exhaust brake. Just think turning it on every time you're behind the wheel is a waste.

That's my opinion and I'm stick'n to it. :)

Does your truck have an exhaust brake?

No it doesn't. But the one I'm ordering this year will.

My opinion (and it's only an opinion) stands. It's based on what I've learned through reading about light duty truck EB's.

My gas engine has pretty effective compression braking. I don't advocate using compression braking (downshifting) every time you want to slow down either even if it does make brake pads last longer.

Gas engines have considerably more retarding back pressure than diesels engines do so unless you also have a diesel truck to understand the difference of your comparison then all I can say is you will be presently surprised how awesome your new truck and exhaust brake combo work.

That said, exhaust brakes and their truck application have evolved quite a bit over time. The early years were not very automated whereas the trucks today have so many features involving the exhaust brake that its really an integrated part of the braking system.

Everyone is absolutely entitled to their opinion too but its amazing to see how uneducated people are about them. Heck.....its not even that uncommon to hear someone talking about an "engine brake" but have no clue that its not the same thing.