How to Operate the Engine Brakes
How to Operate the Engine Brakes
The engine brake controls allow the driver to turn the engine brakes on and off and
select a Low, Medium, or High level of braking. There is very little audible
difference when the engine brakes are activated in either the medium or the high
position.
• The "Low" setting activates braking on three cylinders, yielding about one-third
engine braking horsepower.
• The "Medium" setting activates all six cylinders, supplying about two thirds
engine braking horsepower.
• The "High" setting activates all six cylinders along with varied EGR control,
supplying full engine brake horsepower.
Engine Brake Activation Conditions
The engine braking system only permits fully automatic operation when the
following conditions are met:
• Engine brake is activated on.
• An engine brake level (Low/Med/High) is selected.
• Vehicle meets the programmed minimum speed.
• The clutch pedal is depressed.
• The accelerator pedal is at zero percent activation.
The Detroit Diesel Electronic Control® (DDEC®) system will deactivate the
engine brake system when the engine speed falls below a preset rpm or when the
vehicle slows down to a preset speed. This prevents stalling the engine. The engine
brakes can also be used with vehicle cruise control turned ON. Some systems may
be programmed to activate themselves only when the brake pedal is pressed.
Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS)
The ABS has the ability to turn the engine brake OFF if a wheel-slip condition is
detected. The engine brake will automatically turn itself ON once the wheel slip is
no longer detected.
Clutch Pedal and Throttle Position Controls
Engine brakes have two additional controls, one activated by the position of the
clutch pedal and the other activated by the position of the throttle. These controls
permit fully automatic operation of the engine braking system.
Engine Brake and Cruise Control
Engines with cruise control and engine brake function enabled can operate the
engine brake automatically while in cruise control. If the Cruise Control/Engine
Brake function is turned ON in the DDEC® system programming, the engine brake
will come on low when the set road speed increases above cruise set speed. If
How to Procedures
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All information subject to change without notice.
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