Break in... and Jake Brake question

[mlewis73]

Was wondering... How do I properly break in my new Ram 3500 when it gets here? Should I drive it like I stole it off the lot? Should I baby it?



We'll be picking it up in Missouri and driving to South Carolina... interstate speeds.



Also... how does the Jake brake operate? Is there any sort of control in the cab?



Can I use the nice Brakesmart controller on a Ram with the Jake brake?



Anyone know where I can order the Brakesmart?





Thank you,



Mike

 

[nickleinonen]

Should I drive it like I stole it off the lot? Should I baby it?

once the engine and drivetrain is up to operating temprature, don't be afraid to go WOT on it.



i definately would not baby it...

 

[mgoncalves]

I would give everything 500 miles before really getting with it. That lets the axles, transmission, and transfer case bearings a chance to get to know their races.



After that, by all means, run it hard. The best thing IMO, would be a heavy trailer down a hilly road with the cruise set.

 

[klenger]

Learn more about the Jake brake at http://www.jakebrake.com/products/ld-exhaust.php



There is a switch mounted on the shifter lever to enable or diasble the Jake brake. When turned enabled, it is controlled by a signal from the ECM that turns it on when no fuel is being applied and the truck is moving. Operation with an auto trans is a bit different than with a manual trans, but accomplishes the same thing.



Order the BrakeSmart from http://www.drperformance.com/brakesmart.html



Read abouit and see the BrakeSmart on my website at http://www.klenger.net/dodge/brakesmart/slide01.html



The Jake brake and the BrakeSmart perform different functions and work very well together.



Please enter some info about your truck in your signature line so that we know more about it.

 

[BHolm]

The only reccomendation from Dodge is to allow the rear axle to break in without towing for the first 500 miles. Driving it how however you like is fair game.



I would not set the cruise to try and break it in personally. I know that "on a hilly road" was part of the advice, which makes it good advice. The idea is to seat th rings with cylinder pressure. That means apply a load. So just cruising doesn't do much.



What I did after 500 miles was hooked up to a trailer weighing about 14-15k lbs and took it up a long steep grade. I pulled up, foot to the floor, and went down the back side using the Jake. I turned around at the bottom and went over again.



I got to thinking though, that there is no way I am going to rush the break in too much. If I did this everyday it would still likely take 10,000 miles, So now I just use it normally, tow when I need to and bide my time until 20k or so when it finally gets more broken in. I am at 18k miles now and see about a 2mpg average increase since new.



The Jake works pretty well, do you have an auto or manual trans? On the manual the switch goes right on the shifter like an old two speed splitter. On the auto they also mount it on the column shifter, which didn't do it for me and I relocated it to the dash panel on the left side behind the steering wheel.



The Jake will come with instructions that explain how it works, or do a search here. I have blabbed on and on about it more than once.

 

[Mark.Smith]

I picked mine up and drove it for about 2500 miles and pulled an empty enclosed car carrier from the west coast to the east coast and with it fully loaded, back again. After 500 miles like someone on this board told me, "load the wagon and don't worry about the mule".