Driving in tow/haul and exhaust brake

[KRSmitty]

I daily drive with the tow/haul and exhaust brake on. At times, when coming to a stop the truck will start down shifting and at times it doesn't. I am assuming there are parameters that have to be met before it does the downshifting?

 

[EZeis]

Yep. Road speed, converter must be locked, engine speed, etc. Even engine temp. That's what sucks with automatics, she won't brake down to zero mph like a manual.
I tend to use auto exhaust brake. I just touch the pedal enough to activate it and let it do all the braking till the converter stays unlocked.

I also drive in tow/haul at all times. I mostly keep my exhaust brake in auto. Sometimes I use on when I want the brake on as soon as I let off the brake. Like in heavy traffic or on a hilly road with lots of turns.


Eael

 

[KRSmitty]

Yes...I keep mine in full (comes on when I take foot off gas pedal). Seems like it works until about 40mph...then quits. I am assuming that is when the converter unlocks?

 

[Ozymandias]

Na that should go lower, i think 25mph is the limit.
Even my old Gen3 goes down to that in sec. Gear.

 

[mpaulson]

I use full brake and tow/haul 100% of the time(unless it’s too icy). I just tap the foot brake enough to make the brake light come on and it will aggressively slow me down to a crawl that is slow enough for turning full sharp 90 degree corners with trailers. In the country I almost never touch the foot brake. I think mine holds right down to about 20 miles an hour.

 

[KRSmitty]

Not sure which brake mode I am using. It comes on as soon as I take my foot off the gas pedal. Will have to try the other mode (touch brake pedal?) and see if works better.

 

[mpaulson]

Orange lite up symbol is what I use, full brake. I honestly have never really even tried the auto brake one, I just like the aggressive braking feel. I’ve sold my last two trucks both with the OEM pads still on them, one at 157,000 and the other at 165,000 kms. This is because of my style of e-brake use.

 

[Wiredawg]

I use my exhaust brake all the time on full (for decelerating) with tow/haul off. C&Cs have special Max Tow programming that make driving solo in tow haul way too aggressive. Tow haul is very nice loaded though and with EB in auto (maintains speed). This truck, the Max Tow programming, the EB, the Cummins are amazing. This is the first truck I run loaded (33.4K Lbs) running grades with the cruise control on. The Aisin/EB programming have the best load sensing operating characteristics I've ever seen.

Thought I would add EB modes: Full (decelerates) Auto (maintains speed without accelerating)

Happy trails,

Ron

 

[EDankievitch]

I use the engine brake all the time. My biggest complaint with it is as follows. I drive the same road every day, The same hill the same speed (school zone) one trip the engine brake comes on and holds the truck at the 16-20 mph that I was traveling when I let off the throttle. The next trip the E brake will come on start to slow the truck and then unlocks. If I don't get on the service brakes I'll be up to 45 give or take by the bottom of the hill. Same trip same day every time it's always a surprise what I'll get. I SO MISS MY MANUAL transmission!!! With the manual even on my 05 that did not have an engine brake I could hold speed on hills.
That said I did drive a "F" SD and the transmission was night and day from our slush boxes. The "F" unit was the closest to having the control of a manual I've ever driven.
Wake up RAM and get the programing right!

 

[Wiredawg]

EDankievitch,
Do you have the 68RFE? Not bashing it, and I haven't driven a 2103 before, but I believe the Aisin may function differently than a 68RFE. My 2017 Ram 5500 Aisin and EB perform way better than my 09 Ram 4500. Was the Ford SD a 2013 or a new one as a basis for comparison?

I read the OP question and have this comment: If I want the EB to engage, I tap brakes. You know as much as I drive this and my former truck, I don't recall when the EB engages when I take my foot off the accelerator and coast. I'm driving it tomorrow, so will pay attention and get back to you. Just, C&Cs operate and perform a little differently, so may not mirror what you see. One thing that's different is my EB switch is on when I startup. To date, I haven't heard of the P/Us EB switch automatically on at startup and requires to be depressed every trip.

This is a good thread!

Thanks, Ron

 

[KRSmitty]

On my 2017 there are 2 EB modes. Press the button once and the EB kicks in when you take foot off the accelerator. Hit the EB button 2nd time and it goes into the 2nd mode...which I believe kicks in when you hit the brakes. I have not really used this mode. Always preferred the 1st mode. But, will test the 2nd.

 

[EZeis]

I use the engine brake all the time. My biggest complaint with it is as follows. I drive the same road every day, The same hill the same speed (school zone) one trip the engine brake comes on and holds the truck at the 16-20 mph that I was traveling when I let off the throttle. The next trip the E brake will come on start to slow the truck and then unlocks. If I don't get on the service brakes I'll be up to 45 give or take by the bottom of the hill. Same trip same day every time it's always a surprise what I'll get. I SO MISS MY MANUAL transmission!!! With the manual even on my 05 that did not have an engine brake I could hold speed on hills.
That said I did drive a "F" SD and the transmission was night and day from our slush boxes. The "F" unit was the closest to having the control of a manual I've ever driven.
Wake up RAM and get the programing right!

Do you have the latest flashes? The brake also works differently in tow/haul. Also has two settings, on and auto. I find auto seems to be more aggressive then. But I have only put on 4200 miles on my 18 with Aisin.


Earl

 

[Wiredawg]

Here's what my owner's manual says about the EB:

DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE (ENGINE BRAKING)
The purpose of the exhaust brake (engine braking) feature is to supply negative (braking) torque from the engine. Typically, the engine braking is used for, but not limited to, vehicle towing applications where vehicle braking can be achieved by the internal engine power, thereby sparing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle.
Benefits of the exhaust brake are:
• Vehicle driving control.
• Reduced brake fade.
• Longer brake life.
• Faster cab warm-up.
The exhaust brake feature will only function when the driver toggles it on by pushing the exhaust brake button until the Exhaust Brake Indicator is illuminated.

Normal (Full Strength) exhaust brake mode is indicated by a yellow Exhaust Brake Indicator. Once the Exhaust Brake Indicator” is illuminated and the vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h); the exhaust brake will automatically operate when the driver removes pressure from the accelerator pedal. Exhaust braking is
most effective when the engine RPM is higher. The automatic transmission will downshift more aggressively in TOW/HAUL mode when the exhaust brake is enabled to increase brake performance. NOTE: For optimum braking power it is recommended to use the exhaust brake while in TOW/HAUL mode. The exhaust brake feature can also be used to reduce the engine warm up time. To use the exhaust brake as a warm-up device, the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Exhaust Brake Indicator must be on, and the coolant temperature must be below 180°F (82°C) and ambient temperature below 60°F (16°C).

Automatic Smart Exhaust Brake (Auto)
Automatic Exhaust Brake technology delivers smoother, less aggressive exhaust braking characteristics during downhill descents. Although it can apply full exhaust
braking force if needed, Automatic Exhaust Brake may not apply obvious braking if the vehicle speed is not increasing. Automatic Exhaust Brake is intended to maintain vehicle speed, while Full Exhaust Brake is intended to reduce vehicle speed. Automatic Exhaust Brake can be enabled by pushing the exhaust brake button again anytime after the normal Full Exhaust Brake has been turned on. The “Exhaust Brake Indicator” in the instrument cluster display will change from Yellow to Green when Automatic Exhaust Brake is enabled. Pushing the exhaust brake button again will toggle the exhaust brake mode to off.
Exhaust Brake Switch

Hope this helps.

Ron

 

[SnoKing]

Ron, I was getting ready point out how auto EB worked. You covered it. I use full EB all the time and TowHaul on exit ramps sometimes and all the time when towing.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Start truck hit em both n enjoy the ride!

 

[KRSmitty]

Start truck hit em both n enjoy the ride!

X2

 

[Cummins12V98]

EB TH on driving along I let off and EB comes on and down shifts from sixth to third and turns off at 17mph. If I let off and hit brakes and hold some pedal pressure it down shifts to second and turns off at 12mph. AISIN with 4.10’s.

 

[EDankievitch]

Yes I have the 68RFE transmission unit. It has been updated many times. No the "F" SD was a 2018 left over, However the 2018 RAM 2500 that I also tested drove the same way/ operated the same way as my 13. I find that my transmission always shifts up to the highest gear. The engine usually is turning around 1000-1200 rpm at any speed. when it's turning at 1200 rpm that does not give much slowing power when the engine brake shuts down at 1100 rpm.

 

[SnoKing]

Yes I have the 68RFE transmission unit. It has been updated many times. No the "F" SD was a 2018 left over, However the 2018 RAM 2500 that I also tested drove the same way/ operated the same way as my 13. I find that my transmission always shifts up to the highest gear. The engine usually is turning around 1000-1200 rpm at any speed. when it's turning at 1200 rpm that does not give much slowing power when the engine brake shuts down at 1100 rpm.

You do have a tow haul button, right? Tow haul will cause the transmission to hold gears longer. On my 2015 Aisin it will not shift to 3rd until 35 MPH, 4th until 45 MPH, 5th until 55 MPH and 6th until 65 MPH. I do not have to lock out 6th gear towing at 60-62 MPH, because it will not shift to 6th at that speed when in TH.

Your larger diameter tires might be messing with things.

 

[kthaxton]

I use normal EB almost all the time. However, when towing and going down a steep, winding grade, I find the Auto EB is more pleasant to use, as it is less aggressive, and less jolting.