Busskipper wrote:
holstein13 wrote:
One of the debates we had this week was whether you should drive with your Jake Brakes on or off while on flat land or small hills. Everyone agreed that you should use them in the mountains or steep grades.
But what about hills and flats? The tire and brake instructor said we should not use them because the brakes need a workout to prevent glazing and if you always use the Jake Brakes, you won't automatically adjust your slack adjusters.
Where did you get this info – Sounds like *S -
The engine guy said that the latest evidence from Cummins suggested that the Jake Brakes helped keep the turbo chargers clean. He recommended leaving it on.
Again your two “Instructors” should get together.
Do any of you have an opinion?
Being retired from the Heavy construction business we had a number of diesel trucks with engine/jake breaks so I can only speak from past experience, no one would leave the break on unless they were breaking or stopping – the engine/jake breaks, will, if working just not make for a smooth ride if left on.
If going down a long grade Yes not an issue unless you want to continue at speed or just drive without breaking.
My advice – leave off and just flip the switch when you want to break (which in most cases will be enough to clean the turbo and when you stop you will take the glaze off).
JMHO,
Brakes and Breaks are two different things.
