Is it good to keep your exhaust brake on?
The short answer is that it is generally not recommended to keep your exhaust brake on all the time. Exhaust brakes can be useful in certain driving situations, but they should be used judiciously to avoid potential issues. Let's explore this topic in more detail.
What is an Exhaust Brake?
An exhaust brake is a device that helps slow down a vehicle, particularly a heavy-duty truck or commercial vehicle, by creating back pressure in the engine's exhaust system. This back pressure helps to slow the engine down, which in turn slows the vehicle. Exhaust brakes are often used in addition to the regular service brakes to provide extra braking power, especially when driving down steep hills or carrying heavy loads.
Pros and Cons of Using an Exhaust Brake
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using an exhaust brake:
Advantages:
- Provides additional braking power, especially useful for heavy vehicles or when descending steep hills
- Helps reduce wear and tear on the regular service brakes, extending their lifespan
- Can improve fuel efficiency by reducing the need to use the regular brakes as often
Disadvantages:
- Can cause excessive noise and vibration if used excessively or in inappropriate situations
- May increase engine wear and tear over time if used too frequently
- Can reduce engine responsiveness and make it more difficult to accelerate quickly
Given these pros and cons, it's generally recommended to use the exhaust brake judiciously, such as when descending long, steep hills or when carrying heavy loads, rather than leaving it on all the time.
When to Use the Exhaust Brake
The exhaust brake is most effectively used in the following situations:
- Descending long, steep hills to help maintain a safe, controlled speed and reduce wear on the regular brakes
- When towing a heavy trailer or carrying a large, heavy load to provide additional braking power
- In stop-and-go traffic to help slow the vehicle without constantly using the regular brakes
In these situations, the exhaust brake can be a valuable tool to help control the vehicle's speed and protect the regular brakes. However, it's important not to rely on the exhaust brake exclusively, as the regular service brakes should still be the primary means of slowing and stopping the vehicle.
Conclusion
In summary, while an exhaust brake can be a useful feature in certain driving situations, it's generally not recommended to keep it on all the time. The exhaust brake should be used judiciously, primarily when descending long, steep hills, towing heavy loads, or in stop-and-go traffic. By using the exhaust brake appropriately, you can help extend the life of your regular brakes and improve your vehicle's overall performance and safety.
Can you damage your transmission?
Shifting too quickly from park to reverse to drive can affect your transmission over time. So can driving fast and accelerating/decelerating too quickly while driving. Smoother driving habits and more gradual shifting between gears will help protect your transmission system.
What are the benefits of exhaust brakes?
The Benefits of Exhaust Brakes
It provides engine braking to assist with deceleration. It assists in keeping one's speed in control when going down steep grades and helps maintain the overall management of the vehicle and any trailers one might be towing. It reduces brake heat. It reduces brake wear.
What's the point of an exhaust brake?
An exhaust brake is a system placed on large, diesel-powered vehicles that allows for slowing and stopping without using the vehicle's wheel-mounted brake system. Diesel exhaust brakes can assist the wheel-mounted braking system, therefore extending the useful life of components like brake pads, rotors and brake drums.
Should the exhaust brake be on or off?
No. You should leave your exhaust brake on automatic every time you drive. Not using the exhaust brake for extended periods of time will cause the VGT vanes to get carbon fouled and the VGT will cease to function.
Is it safe to drive with the exhaust brake on?
No, not really. The actuator moves the vanes. Both for brake function and boost functions. Same parts different position depending on function.
Is it bad to leave engine brake on?
In short, continual use of engine braking will not excessively wear the braking system or the engine. However, it may increase the wear and tear of the clutch or gearbox if you aggressively engine brake. Regular car checks and maintenance is the key part of staying safe on the roads.
Why is exhaust braking illegal?
Jake Brakes are illegal in some areas due to the loud noise they create when compressed air is released through the exhaust. This noise disrupts residential neighborhoods, leading many cities and towns to prohibit their use near interstates and residential zones.
Is an exhaust brake bad for transmission?
In the last few years, Grant has seen exhaust brake-equipped trucks go 100,000 miles on the original brake pads! So in summation, yes, exhaust brakes can hurt automatic transmissions if the line pressure remains at stock levels in the transmission.
Does using exhaust brake use more fuel?
When installed, some designs create an exhaust restriction even when not activated, negatively affecting both performance and fuel economy.
Can an exhaust brake damage an engine?
If the pressure in the exhaust system, which also bears against the backside of closed exhaust valves in a multi-cylinder engine, exceeds the valve springs' ability to hold the valves on their seats, the exhaust valves would be forced open and the pistons could strike the valves, causing severe engine damage.
