What activates a Jake brake?
A Jake brake, also known as a compression release engine brake, is a type of engine braking system used in large vehicles like trucks and buses. It works by temporarily releasing the compressed air in the engine's cylinders, allowing the vehicle to slow down without using the regular friction brakes.
How a Jake Brake Works
The Jake brake is activated when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator pedal. This triggers a mechanism that opens the exhaust valves on the engine's cylinders, allowing the compressed air to escape instead of being used to push the pistons down. This sudden release of air pressure creates a braking effect, slowing the vehicle down without wearing out the regular brakes.
The Jake brake is particularly useful for large, heavy vehicles that need to descend steep hills or mountains. By using the engine braking, the driver can avoid overheating and wearing out the regular friction brakes, which could fail under the strain of constant braking.
Benefits of Using a Jake Brake
- Improved Braking Capacity: The Jake brake allows the driver to use the engine's compression to slow the vehicle, reducing the workload on the regular brakes and preventing them from overheating or wearing out prematurely.
- Increased Safety: By using the Jake brake, drivers can maintain better control of the vehicle, especially when descending steep grades, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Longer Brake Life: With the Jake brake taking on a significant portion of the braking load, the regular friction brakes last longer before needing maintenance or replacement.
- Reduced Brake Fade: Brake fade, which occurs when the brakes overheat and become less effective, is less of a concern when using the Jake brake.
The Jake brake is a valuable tool for large vehicle drivers, allowing them to maintain control and safety, especially in challenging driving conditions.
Is a Jake Brake bad for the engine?
A common myth is that Jake Brakes can hurt the engine. In actuality, when used correctly, Jake Brakes do not damage the engine and work well with other vehicle systems. Another myth is that Jake Brakes are always loud and annoying.
How do you activate the exhaust brake?
As a general guideline, use the same gear as you use to ascend the hill. The exhaust brake switches on when you remove your feet from the accelerator pedal and the exhaust brake is on. If the brake is working properly, you may notice: A slight change in engine sound when the exhaust brake turns on.
How do you activate anti brake system?
To activate your ABS brakes, firmly apply the brakes, pushing the pedal to the floor. From here, the electronics will do the rest.
What makes a Jake Brake work?
The Jacobs Engine Brake® (also known as the "Jake Brake®") is an engine retarder that uses the engine to aid in slowing and controlling the vehicle. When activated, the engine brake alters the operation of the engine's exhaust valves so that the engine works as a power-absorbing air compressor.
Can Jake Brake damage an engine?
There are some myths about Jake Brakes that can cause confusion about how they work and when to use them. A common myth is that Jake Brakes can hurt the engine. In actuality, when used correctly, Jake Brakes do not damage the engine and work well with other vehicle systems.
Is it bad to run Jake Brake at low rpm?
The short answer is, the higher the better. The engine brake will work at any rpm from 1,000 to 2,200 in most cases. Jacobs, makers of most of the engine brakes in use today, says the best performance is achieved at about 10% above the engine's rated rpm.
What is the difference between a Jake Brake and an exhaust brake?
Conclusion. An exhaust brake causes engine braking by raising pressure, whereas a Jake brake causes engine braking by decreasing pressure. A Jake brake connects to the valve train, whereas an exhaust brake connects to the exhaust system. A Jake brake has far higher braking power than an exhaust brake.
What makes a Jake Brake loud?
Video from Jacobs Vehicle Systems shows how the brakes work, ultimately dissipating all the force from the compressed air in an engine "by transforming your power producing diesel engine, into a power absorbing air compressor." That compressed air is released through the exhaust and that's where the noise comes in — if ...
Why is Jake braking illegal?
Ban on Jake Brakes
While the noise might not bother some, it can disturb residents, especially early in the morning or late at night. Engine braking is prohibited in some areas due to its loud noise, especially without a muffler, which resembles a jackhammer and disrupts the surrounding area.
How is a Jake Brake activated?
To engage the Jake Brake system, the driver must release the accelerator and flip the engine brake switch, usually located near the manual gear shift. This action will engage the system and slow down the vehicle.
