question, e-brake on or off

[Cobra]

Alright, the weather is getting cold now. I have a jacobs e-brake on my truck. The brake has a switch for turning it on and off. Because it has the switch I deduced that it should be in the off position while driving except when slowing or descending hills. However, I have been reading post and threads about guys taking the fan off their trucks to keep the engine warmer, and there are those who say to use the e-brake upon start-up to warmup the engine. My question is, could I or should I run with the e-brake switch in the on position thereby causing it to activate in traffic and at every stop sign or traffic signal. Would this be a good thing or bad thing. Could it harm the valves.



Thanks for the info

 

[DennyDay]

E-Brake

I have mey e-brake hooked up with a push button momentary switch, and use it any time I want. I didn't like having it come on every time I took my foot off the throttle. Be careful using the e-brake on ice, it may cause loss of control.



Denny

 

[Joe G.]

Mine is on all the time except when I get ready to shut down.

 

[CRuD]

Use it or loose it

I have mine on all the time I drive it. The effect of said brake is not felt nearly as much running empty as when pulling a load.

I can not tell you about the warm up thing as this winter will be the first time for me to use the brake as a warm up device.

See Ya

Chris

 

[roycrown]

Mine is also on all the time. With some practice, you can use your foot to control it. Just the very slightest of pressure on the accelerator pedal will keep it from activating, you have to take your foot completely off, then wait 1 1/2 seconds for it to work.

 

[Phil Stuart]

E-Brake usage

Cobra, In cold weather I'll turn the switch on at startup and let it warm up for a few minutes and then switch it back off. My 2001 24v warms up a lot quicker than my old 12v did but now with the e-brake it is so much quicker and nice to have heat sooner on cold days. I myself don't like to leave it on all the time,just my personal preference. I have a momentary switch on the shifter to activate it when needed. You shouldn't have anything to worry about as far as the valve springs go. These newer engines have the 60 lb. springs so not to worry.



Phil

 

[Ron Bissett]

Use brake to warm up eng , Yes do this . Use brake every day , Yes (keeps it in working order) On off switch on dash , you could run two wires to second switch on gear shift to turn on and off if you don't want the brake to come on when shifting . I used a switch found at boat section at walley world ,a push pull and mounted it knob up and covered with tape and black RTV works fine with a light tuch on or off . cost under five dollars . Like some one posted caution on wet or snow road . And it will save your brakes Read all the past post on brakes . Hope this helps . Ron in Louisville KY

 

[Wirenut]

I agree with letting the engine warm up with it on, just wait until the oil pressure comes up on startup. It is actually better on the engine while idling because it puts a slight load on the engine if it's gonna be idling for a little while being that it is not healthy on a turbocharged diesel engine to idle for a period of time under no load. About leaving it turned on while driving,... if your truck has manual transmission, you could install a clutch switch in parallel with the throttle pedal switch or with the on/off switch so that it disengages when you push in the clutch.