using exhaust brake to help warm?

[nukegm]

comrades!

it was 70 - 80 last week in colorado

this week it has been 30. i turned on the EB today for the first time since new while idling.

it warmed up pretty fast, in my opinion. was 19 out. idled for approx 10 minutes.

will this practice hurt anything?

thank you comrades in advance.

2018 2500 cummins g56

cheers!

 

[SnoKing]

Actual is will turn on automagically at a certain temp. You can also turn on cruise control and then push set and it will idle up helping even more. To increase the high idle even more above the 1000+/- RPMs push the CC + button.

 

[nukegm]

Actual is will turn on automagically at a certain temp. You can also turn on cruise control and then push set and it will idle up helping even more. To increase the high idle even more above the 1000+/- RPMs push the CC + button.

good info - thank you sir! and i will try that.

 

[Newsa]

good info - thank you sir! and i will try that.

If I remember correctly, Mr NuclearGM....

Since you have a g56 transmission, the high idle function is not installed at the factory.

You would need to install an after-market device. IiRC, BD makes a popular one.

My understanding is that RAM/FCA did not want to assume liability on a manual transmission clutch install on a 660 ft lb beast of an engine that might pop into gear regardless of whether the parking brake engaged.

I believe it is true that it should warm up better with the EB on. The truck will idle faster in cold weather. I have not seen the EB light come on automatically in my g56 truck down to -17° cold starts. But it might be working behind the scenes without my knowledge on cold starts?????

Mine is a 2013. The programming on the 2015+ Cummins is likely more robust. My dash indicator does NOT turn green when the EB is engaged. Only turns Amber colored

 

[Ozymandias]

It is absolutely recommended to use the EB while Idling!

 

[JR]

It is absolutely recommended to use the EB while Idling!

Recommended by who? I've not seen any recommendation from Cummins other than high idling during extended idle. Personally I feel running the EB on a cold engine with no load for extended intervals introduces soot into the oil. The best thing you can do for your truck is use the block heater for an hour or two depending on ambient temps, start the truck up allow oil pressure to come up and drive easy. Even the current trucks with egr take a long time to come up to temp in frigid weather .

Also, my EB does not come on with the high idle. Ive been in -25*F temps so far and seen nothing but high idle.

 

[Cummins12V98]

The EB at idle puts a load on the engine that's why it should be used for any extended idle conditions.

 

[nukegm]

thanks all for the info/replies! much appreciated. cheers!

 

[Slaw32]

I live up north and combination of exhaust brake and high idle best way to warm up truck . On stock truck exhaust brake has to be manually engaged , like it always does . The high idle will automatically engage at a certain temp , not sure what it is . I activate cruise control and hit the + button and idle increases . I think you can raise idle up 1500 rpm by hitting the + button on cruise control 100 rpm per push . I use high idle regardless of temperature if sitting still for more than a couple of minutes .

 

[gsbrockman]

Actual is will turn on automagically at a certain temp. You can also turn on cruise control and then push set and it will idle up helping even more. To increase the high idle even more above the 1000+/- RPMs push the CC + button.

Manual high idle is NOT available on 4th GEN G56 trucks.....like the OP owns.

 

[JR]

The EB at idle puts a load on the engine that's why it should be used for any extended idle conditions.

Have you ever seen any recommendation from Cummins on this? Putting back pressure into a cold engine is sure to put unnecessary soot into the oil. I'm pretty certain this is exactly why Cummins does not engage the exhaust brake with their programming. High idle only.

 

[jhenderson]

Have you ever seen any recommendation from Cummins on this? Putting back pressure into a cold engine is sure to put unnecessary soot into the oil. I'm pretty certain this is exactly why Cummins does not engage the exhaust brake with their programming. High idle only.

Read your owners manual.

 

[mpaulson]

If you live in a cold enough place, the brake will come on and it will rev up on its own after a few minutes of idling. If anything it would help reduce the soot levels due to a warmer combustion thus less soot due to better burn't fuel.
I always have mine on, once I'm in the truck. On my 07.5 I was able to rewire the e-brake button to always be triggered on at start-up, but these new models handle the circuits differently and I've never found a safe way to do it.

 

[SnoKing]

Have you ever seen any recommendation from Cummins on this? Putting back pressure into a cold engine is sure to put unnecessary soot into the oil. I'm pretty certain this is exactly why Cummins does not engage the exhaust brake with their programming. High idle only.

RAM programming does turn on the exhaust brake at idle when the engine is cold and the button has been pushed. Mine even idles on the exhaust in gear at the first couple stop lights when it is cold out, until the engine warms up. SnoKing

 

[SnoKing]

Since you have a g56 transmission, the high idle function is not installed at the factory.

My bad for missing that one. SnoKing

 

[JR]

My 14 has never turned on the exhaust brake, this with a cold start down to -25. High idle only.

If anything it would help reduce the soot levels due to a warmer combustion thus less soot due to better burn't fuel

On a warm engine yes, on a cold engine before the rings have had a chance to expand that back pressure is going right to the crank case. Exactly the reason they dont recommend extended idle at cold temps.

 

[JR]

RAM programming does turn on the exhaust brake at idle when the engine is cold and the button has been pushed.

Which button?

 

[gsbrockman]

Have you ever seen any recommendation from Cummins on this? Putting back pressure into a cold engine is sure to put unnecessary soot into the oil. I'm pretty certain this is exactly why Cummins does not engage the exhaust brake with their programming. High idle only.

Well.......on my AS69RC equipped ‘18 4500 Cab & Chassis, the exhaust brake is on at startup, every startup, until the user decides to switch it to another mode or turn it OFF completely.

Yes......the C&C truck’s are a different beast, but apparently having the EB on at startup on a cold engine on a C&C truck is not an issue for Cummins.

 

[JR]

Well.......on my AS69RC equipped ‘18 4500 Cab & Chassis, the exhaust brake is on at startup, every startup, until the user decides to switch it to another mode or turn it OFF completely.

Yes......the C&C truck’s are a different beast, but apparently having the EB on at startup on a cold engine on a C&C truck is not an issue for Cummins.

But that's not exactly a recommendation. My point is, unless you physically press that button the truck will only go into high idle. The EB does not come on unless that button has been pushed. Since I was prompted to read my owners manual, I just leafed through the cold start section. It only makes mention of high idle during extended periods. They do not recommend turning on the EB at start up, nor do they recommend letting the truck idle for longer periods. If they felt having the EB come on in cold temps was beneficial or important they'd have it in the programming with the automatic high idle. This on a 14, if their recommendations have changed I would be interested in seeing the data. I'm betting they haven't for the reasons i listed above post.
Regardless, Best practice in cold weather is to utilize the block heater for 1-2 hours (i have mine on a timer if im going to be driving my truck) start the truck, clear off the windows and get in and drive easy. I do the same with a trailer but Im also very rural so I can afford to poke a bit until temps start to come up.

 

[Cummins12V98]

This has been known for MANY years.