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If your vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary brake, follow the instructions provided in the auxiliary brake owner's manual. Failure to follow the instructions during wet or slippery conditions could reduce vehicle control and result in personal injury or death. |
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Auxiliary brakes should not be used as a primary or service brake. The vehicle's service brake must be used in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. |
Certain auxiliary engine braking devices are approved for use on these engines. Refer to the Truck Engine Application and Installation Guide or see your Caterpillar dealer for more information. For information on the specific auxiliary engine brakes on your vehicle, refer to the information that is provided by the OEM of the vehicle.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) of this vehicle may interrupt the operation of the auxiliary engine brake during the actuation of the ABS. Compression brakes and exhaust brakes are typical examples of auxiliary engine brakes. For information on the operation of the ABS, refer to the literature that is provided by the OEM of the vehicle.
The auxiliary engine brake provides additional braking in order to slow the vehicle on grades and curves. The auxiliary engine brake also helps to control the speed. The auxiliary engine brake is useful when a reduction of speed is necessary, but a long application of the service brake is not desired. Controlling the slowing or downhill speed of a vehicle by using the auxiliary engine brake results in reduced wear on brake linings and brake drums. A reduced wear on these components helps to save the service brakes for emergency stopping requirements.
An auxiliary engine brake generates the maximum retarding effect at the engine's maximum rated rpm. As the engine rpm decreases, the performance of the auxiliary engine brake also decreases. For maximum available retarding, the operator should select a gear which will provide the desired road speed at the highest allowable engine rpm.
On long downhill grades, an operator should establish a “control speed”. The “control speed” is present when the force that pushes the vehicle is equal to the retarding that slows the vehicle. The “control speed” is established with little use or no use of the service brake.
To maximize the benefit of the auxiliary engine brake, the auxiliary engine brake should be used when the operator wants to slow the vehicle. The auxiliary engine brake should be kept in the ON position during all normal operating conditions.
The operation of any vehicle under slippery conditions requires caution. This is also true when a vehicle with an auxiliary engine brake is operated. As a general rule, under slippery conditions start with the auxiliary engine brake in the OFF position and ensure that the vehicle maintains control through natural retardation. Then activate the auxiliary engine brake at the lowest power setting. Change power settings as road conditions permit.
Operating the Auxiliary Engine Brake
The auxiliary engine brake is controlled by a switch on the dashboard. Before starting the engine, ensure that the switch is in the OFF position.
After the engine has reached normal operating temperature, turn the switch to the ON position. The switch may stay in the ON position during engine operation. The auxiliary engine brake will only activate when no fuel is supplied to the engine. The auxiliary engine brake will help to slow the vehicle when no pressure is applied to the throttle pedal or to the clutch pedal.
The auxiliary engine brake may be programmed to one of three modes:
- "COAST"
- "LATCH"
- "MANUAL"
The "COAST" mode and the "LATCH" mode require the Cruise Control switch to be in the ON position. The "COAST" mode and the "LATCH" mode do not require the Cruise Control to be active. In the "COAST" mode or the "LATCH" mode, the auxiliary engine brake is activated by the service brake. Using the service brake will deactivate the Cruise Control. However, the service brake does not turn the Cruise Control to the OFF position.
In the "MANUAL" mode, it is not necessary to depress the service brake in order to activate the auxiliary engine brake.
If the "Cruise Control ON/OFF" switch is in the OFF position, the auxiliary engine brake will activate regardless of the service brake.
If the auxiliary engine brake is programmed to "COAST" and the Cruise Control switch is in the ON position, the auxiliary engine brake will activate when the service brake is depressed. In the "COAST" mode, the braking power is provided by both the service brake and the auxiliary engine brake.
The auxiliary engine brake will deactivate when the service brake is released.
If the auxiliary engine brake is programmed to "LATCH" and the Cruise Control switch is in the ON position, the auxiliary engine brake will activate when the service brake is depressed.
The auxiliary engine brake remains active when the service brake is released. The auxiliary engine brake remains active until the throttle pedal or the clutch pedal is depressed, or the engine speed drops below 900 rpm.
If the auxiliary engine brake is programmed to "MANUAL", the auxiliary engine brake will activate regardless of the service brake or the position of the Cruise Control switch. The auxiliary engine brake will activate when no pressure is applied to the throttle pedal or to the clutch pedal.