Shifting into neutral
Hi everyone, I'm fairly certain this is "normal," but since diesel trucks are new to me, I figured I'd ask. I have a 2008 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax w/ the 6-speed Allison transmission. Las...
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Cyberian wrote:wilber1 wrote:Cyberian wrote:
Doesn't matter. ABS, 2wd, 4wd, duals, 10 wheeler, 18 wheeler, any vehicle with locked brakes is nearly uncontrollable. Putting your transmission in neutral removes a crucial element of control and increases the likelyhood of locking your brakes.
Yes any vehicle with locked brakes is almost uncontrollable and if the rear brakes need extra pressure to override the engine, the greater the likelihood you will lock the fronts in the attempt. Basically the same reason manufacturers emphasize not to use cruise control or the exhaust brake in slippery conditions, you wind up with the wrong end steering the vehicle.
Cruise powers your rear into slides, Jakes brake the rear axle too much and cause slides. Your drive axle is already trying to slow more than the steer axle when you release the throttle due to engine braking. Ever notice that on RWD vehicles, the front brakes always wear out sooner than the rears? It's because native engine braking is helping the rear brakes!
Override engine power in order to slow the vehicle...sure, if one's right foot were on the throttle and left foot on the brakes.
The only time any vehicle should be in neutral with the engine running is while parked on a level surface with the parking brake set and tires chocked.
What you say about cruise and the ebrake is true but the principle is the same.
Front brakes wear faster because most front engine vehicles carry more weight up front and under braking, weight shifts off the back to the front. That's why front brakes are much larger than rears.
Unless the front of the car somehow comes detached from the rear, engine braking helps both sets of brakes. Both sets are stopping the same vehicle after all.
I'm not suggesting one should put a vehicle in neutral at speed but if you are trying to come to a stop on a downhill in very slippery conditions, you will not be able to do it in a RWD non ABS vehicle without locking the front brakes unless you put it in neutral. Those back wheels will keep on turning with the fronts locked or you will have to lock all four.
