How/When do you use your e-brakes?

[brobeson]

All the time, towing or not.

Just while towing.

while towing but only in the mountains.

Empty or loaded.



Let us know how you use your e-brakes.

 

[WestTN]

How/When

Gee, you left out the way I use mine. It is 'Most of the time. '

 

[Archive]

I use my E Brake every time I drive the Ram. It is fun to use and pretty effective.



I don't think I will ever tow without one again... what a great product! It is easily my most used accessory.

 

[MikeR]

Everyday when I start the truck,I turn it on to warm it up while it idles. I use it everyday,everywhere,loaded or unloaded. I also use it to annoy people at stoplites that are talking on their cell phones when they should be watching where they are going.



-Mike

 

[garyndufresne]

All the time. Only turn it off . After pulling over to cool turbo down .

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by MikeR

annoy people at stoplites that are talking on their cell phones

-Mike

I actually saw a woman pulled to the side of the road the other day on a cellphone! What will happen next in this crazy world!

 

[jstyer]

e-brake

I use it all the time, but I do turn it off while sitting at light or stop sign unless I want to aggrevate someone, . Pac brake recommends using it as much as possible to eliminate maintenace problems, such as carbon buildup, etc.

 

[JSchooley]

Bet most of the responses have manual trannys.



By the time I got my previous truck into lockup it was too late to use the brake unless going down a long hill. With the A/T I used the E-Brake mostly while towing and mostly down long hills.



With the 6sp I use it all the time.



BTW I have a Pressure Lock and Auto Lock complete with all instructions. Used about one year. Make me an offer.



jstyer - I like it. All that power and brakes too. I'll bet you don't know if that Coleman is behind you or forgot at the campground

 

[jstyer]

e-brake

Jschooley: You're right on the money! Not only do I not know if the coleman is back there, but when I pull the 35ft 5th wheel, it's no different. I can't imagine trying to stop that thing without the e-brake.

 

[John]

.....a man without exhaust brake is a very sad man indeed

Currently, I only use my BD exhaust brake to warm up my engine..... I removed my TorqLoc and have not replaced it with DTT's Smart Controller yet. So, without means to lock the TCC I'm SOL for now.

 

[Andy Perreault]

Be aware of the heat factor

Remember that the exhaust brake builds heat in the turbo, manifold, and cylinder head. That's why it's great for warming up a cold engine. However, you shouldn't use it if you're about to shut off the engine, because you don't want to shut down when the turbo is hot. Oil will bake onto the turbo bearings and turn into "coke", a very hard form of carbon.

My EGT probe is mounted on the exhaust elbow, just downstream from the turbo. I like it there, because it tells me how hot the turbo is. I let it get to 200 degrees before I shut off the engine. Most of the time, it takes a minute or two, but if I've been climbing a mountain grade, it will take 5 minutes or more.

I've gotten into the habit of not using the exhaust brake if I know I'm going to be shutting off the engine in the next minute or two, such as pulling into a parking lot, etc.

Otherwise, I use it anytime I need to slow down, towing or not. Andy

 

[DHatfield]

I use my truck for warming up the engine in the winter, anytime I am slowing down from a speed greater than 30 MPH (unloaded) and slowing down from any speed while towing. I guess I pretty much use it all the time.

 

[Bob Stephens]

Use it all the time

After driving auto without ebrake and now driving 6sp with ebrake, I'll never go back. I use it with or without trailer but don't know how I would get along without the brake towing. Coming down mountain passes the truck and trailer just want to go faster. Turn on the brake and get a nice smooth ride down the hill. It is especially great on steep downhill grades on forest service roads. No hot brakes at the bottom of the hill, just pick a gear, turn on the brake, and enjoy the ride. Agree with Andy though, I try to stay of the ebrake if I'm about to shut down because it definitely keeps the turbo temp up.