Smart exhaust brake

[GSonnek]

What model year did the new Smart exhaust brake start? Is it an option or is it standard on all the models now?

 

[Jim W]

I might be wrong but I think the two position Auto exhaust brake is new for 2013MY. It is standard from what I remember as being discussed at the TDR rally in Columbus IN this year by the Ram marketing team.

Jim W.

 

[TimothyLong]

Agree with Jim W. I seem to recall reading that somewhere as well.

 

[AH64ID]

Yes it was introduced with the MY13 trucks.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

My 13 has the Smart Brake. I only tow with the truck and have not found a towing situation where I prefer the Smart setting.

 

[EDankievitch]

The nice feature of the Smart Break is that the break lights come on when you use it. It's nice to let the guy behind you know that your slowing down.... I find that when you use it with the Tow/ Haul the smart break works awesome, better than the engine break that the 2012 had.

 

[AH64ID]

My 13 has the Smart Brake. I only tow with the truck and have not found a towing situation where I prefer the Smart setting.

Are you using it to maintain speed, or just for deceleration?

 

[GSonnek]

Downhill mountain and also slowing down for ramps and intersections.

 

[AH64ID]

Downhill mountain and also slowing down for ramps and intersections.

I might be wrong, but my understanding of the Smart Brake is that it varies the exhaust pressure to maintain speed. The non-Smart feature is the one used for deceleration.

 

[Powder Extreme]

The standard setting applies full retarding when ever you let off the throttle. The smart setting will only apply pressure when you are touching the service brakes or when the vehicle is gaining speed while coasting ie: descending a hill. As far as varied pressure, although it says it will, according to the gauge in the EVIC, it is still just "on/off". The computer just decides to turn it on and off at different times. If it truly is a different pressure, it's so close to full pressure you can't tell. The retarding horsepower always seems to be the same regardless of setting. The higher the rpm, the higher the hp.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I might be wrong, but my understanding of the Smart Brake is that it varies the exhaust pressure to maintain speed. The non-Smart feature is the one used for deceleration.

The smart setting works well for standard driving. It will come on whenever you use the service brakes, thus requiring less braking effort and allowing the brake pads to last longer. Yet you can still "coast" in traffic, etc.

 

[Wertles]

I use the smart setting when I am unloaded with the wife in the truck. As stated above, it works well with your brakes and lets you coast. Much more comfortable for passengers.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I guess the fact that I almost never drive the truck without a fully loaded trailer has somthing to do with my not prefering the Smart setting. When I tow in rolling hills I often disengage the ex brake and allow some coasting to better fuel useage. When on the mountain passed I need the full retarding and I do not like the "light gradual engagement" of the brake on that setting.

 

[PC12Driver]

The nice feature of the Smart Break is that the break lights come on when you use it.

Huh. The regs require that the brake lights come on with the service brakes. Seems odd that a manufacturer would take it upon themselves to tie it to an auxiliary braking system without a law backing them up.

 

[RustyJC]

Actually, it's pretty commonplace on diesel pusher motorhomes for the brake lights to come on when the engine brake engages. Of course, that's a lot more retarding horsepower, but it's also dealing with (in most cases) a lot more vehicle mass.

Rusty

 

[GSonnek]

What year did the ex brake feature start from the factory?

 

[PC12Driver]

Actually, it's pretty commonplace on diesel pusher motorhomes for the brake lights to come on when the engine brake engages. Of course, that's a lot more retarding horsepower, but it's also dealing with (in most cases) a lot more vehicle mass.

I guess so. I did a little searching around the web and the RV world is where the hits came up.

I'm not a fan. As someone who runs with the EB enabled all the time, that means my brake lights would be on for every hill I coast down, even if I'm not decelerating or stopping. Or rolling through town, my brake lights would be on and off constantly. Since brake lights usually precede someone braking or stopping, not coasting, it seems like having the lights come on every time the EB activates wouldn't effectively communicate the driver's intentions.

But on the other hand, constantly cycling brake lights would give the impression of a nervous driver, so other folks would give you plenty of space. Maybe that's the thought process?

 

[AH64ID]

I think it's great, I usually hold my foot barely on the brakes to illuminate the light when people are following too close.

 

[PC12Driver]

Yeah, but that's an option you would have when conditions warrant. If it comes on automatically with the EB, there's gonna be a lot of unnecessary brake lights. Not the sort of thing you want the driver following to become desensitized to.

 

[AH64ID]

I see your point, but if you didn't have an EB and were using your service brakes to maintain speed it would be on anyways.