SNOKING
Well-known member
I use ours all the time, even when not towing. I wish RAM had an option to leave it selected. Chris
LBR
Well-known member
Same here, even when not towing...newer Fords have a push for on, push for off button to select either manual or automatic exhaust braking modes.
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SNOKING
Well-known member
Off ramps are another place, traffic slowdowns etc etc etc. Saves the service brakes and keeps the exhaust brake exercised. Chris
CoveredWagon
Well-known member
Who said not to use it ?
jerryjay11
Well-known member
I suppose in areas where it is posted "No Exhaust Brakes." I have seen this in certain communities while driving through.
CoveredWagon
Well-known member
Did that sign say “exhaust brakes” or engine brakes or what? They are referring to Jake Brakes, the kind found on class 8 (semi) trucks. The kind that go “blablablal” when in use. You’ll never hear an exhaust brake. They’ve been used in Europe for years because of that very reason.
Use your exhaust brake. It’s there for a reason.
jerryjay11
Well-known member
Learned something new today. 67 and still earning. May have said engine brakes. Been awhile since I last seen one.
CarterKraft
Well-known member
Exactly, Jake brakes are a different beast. The true Jake break is a "engine" brake where as we and other light duty diesels have "exhaust brakes".
Check youtube for explanation if you are interested.
CoveredWagon
Well-known member
Glad to be of help Jerry. 😉
ramdually4100king
Well-known member
The 2018 RAMs (at least the 5500s) exhaust break has two settings.
1) auto - will only engage when the brakes are applied. Allows coasting when no breaks are applied.
2) full - you let off the throttle and your head hits the steering wheel.
And the truck remembers the last setting. So no more turning it on every time the truck is started.
I leave mine on auto except for when I’m towing.
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SNOKING
Well-known member
Our 2015 has the same two modes also, and when the trailer is plugged in it remembers either Tow Haul or Exhaust Brake, I do not remember which. I think it is tow haul(makes sense, it can "see" the trailer). Auto works with CC and tries to keep speed on a down hill at CC speed. I find however that it runs 4 or so MPH over the CC speed. So I run the full mode 99% of the time. Chris
simsfmly
Ohio Chapter Leaders-retired
No one said “not to”. Reading these replies just adds to my curiosity as to why the on off switch that has to be engaged every time the vehicle is started.
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SNOKING
Well-known member
They do not want it to be on in a low traction situation, think ice or snow, so they force you to select it. Chris
simsfmly
Ohio Chapter Leaders-retired
SNOKING
Well-known member
That lets them off the hook, it you spin out. Chris
I think this reply answers the original question. Low traction situations are probably when you may not want to use it. Also trailer brakes can cause issues in low traction situations if they are set too high.
