Why does my truck say grade braking active?
If your truck's dashboard displays the "Grade Braking Active" warning, it indicates that your vehicle's engine braking system is engaged to help control your truck's speed while driving down a steep incline or grade. This feature is designed to assist you in maintaining a safe and controlled descent, preventing your truck from gaining excessive speed and potentially losing control.
What is Grade Braking?
Grade braking, also known as engine braking, is a feature found in many trucks and larger vehicles. It utilizes the engine's compression to slow down the vehicle, reducing the need to rely solely on the service brakes (the regular brake pedal). This can help prevent the service brakes from overheating and wearing out prematurely, especially when driving down long, steep hills.
When grade braking is active, the truck's transmission automatically downshifts to a lower gear, allowing the engine to provide additional braking force. This helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle's speed and reduces the strain on the service brakes.
Why Does the "Grade Braking Active" Warning Appear?
The "Grade Braking Active" warning appears on your truck's dashboard to inform you that the grade braking system is currently engaged and working to control your vehicle's speed. This warning is typically triggered when:
- You are driving down a steep hill or incline
- Your truck's speed is exceeding a certain threshold, and the grade braking system is activated to help slow the vehicle down
- The transmission has downshifted to a lower gear to increase engine braking
By seeing this warning, you can be assured that your truck's safety systems are working as intended to help you maintain control and prevent potential accidents or damage to your vehicle's components.
Proper Use of Grade Braking
To effectively utilize the grade braking feature in your truck, it's important to follow these tips:
- Engage grade braking well before reaching the steep descent, allowing the system to gradually slow your vehicle's speed
- Avoid constantly switching between the service brakes and grade braking, as this can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle's components
- Monitor your truck's speed and the "Grade Braking Active" warning to ensure the system is functioning properly
- Be aware of the road conditions and adjust your driving accordingly, as grade braking may not be as effective on slippery or icy surfaces
By understanding the purpose and proper use of the grade braking system in your truck, you can ensure a safer and more controlled driving experience, especially when navigating steep or challenging terrain.
What does grade braking active mean?
• GRADE BRAKING ACTIVE: This message displays when the grade braking has been activated while driving on downhill grades. This message will only. appear the first time the feature is activated in an ignition cycle. This message will not display if Cruise Control Grade Braking goes active.
How to fix brake system warning light?
How Do You Fix a Brake Light Warning?
- Pull Over Safely.
- Restart the Vehicle and/or Dashboard.
- Replace the Brake Pads.
- Check the Brake Fluid.
- Check or Replace the Bulbs.
- Stop the vehicle and check the Parking Brake.
- Take Your Car to an Auto Shop.
- Recent Articles.
How to turn off brake assist on Chevy Silverado?
You can also turn the feature off through the Settings menu of your infotainment system. Go to the Rear Park Assist section of the Settings menu and disable “Alert and Brake” to do this. If you turn Reverse Automatic Braking off, the feature will automatically turn back on if you restart the vehicle.
How to know if brake fluid is low?
Brake Lights - If you see the letters ABS pop up on your instrument cluster, chances are you're low on brake fluid. This light lets you know that there's an issue with your anti-lock braking system. If the parking brake is disengaged but you still see the word BRAKE, that's another sign that your fluid levels are low.
Is grade braking bad for your car?
Remember, the grade braking feature is designed to use the transmission and engine to provide engine braking during deceleration when the proper conditions are met. This feature improves vehicle control while reducing wear and tear on the vehicle brakes.
What does it mean when my car says grade braking active?
GRADE BRAKING ON: This message displays when the grade braking has been activated while driving on downhill grades. This message will only appear the first time the feature is activated in an ignition cycle. This message will not display if Cruise Control Grade Braking goes active.
How do I turn off active grade braking?
Grade-braking can be exited by depressing the accelerator pedal.
Why does my truck say brake?
If your brake service warning light is always on, it could be due to a need for parking brake adjustment, worn brake pads, or hydraulic issues. If your brake service warning light turns on when you hit the pedal, it could be due to hydraulic loss on one side of your vehicle or low brake fluid in the master cylinder.
Can you turn off active brake assist?
All you do is go into settings. And go to assistance avoid contact. And here you can now switch off the systems. And when you switch it off you'll also get a message on instrument cluster.
What is grade braking in a truck?
The grade-braking system is part of the Allison transmission, and its primary purpose is to downshift to provide engine braking to heavy vehicles on steep downgrades, to reduce overheating and wear on the brakes. The system overrides the gear selector position and selects the next lower gear automatically.
