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I'm looking for advice on using my Tow Haul engine braking before I'm up to operating temp- when I leave my jobsite, it's an 8-11% grade on gravel for the 1st 2 miles. It holds the truck back nicely in 2nd gear at about 3500 RPM as I make my initial decent. But the truck has just been started after sitting for 7- 8 hrs. Should I keep on using it or just use the brakes- I'm running 15w-40, running empty, the air temp is in the mid 70's but I'm concerned I may be doing more harm than good.
My first impression at this time of morning, is that since the FOMOCO design of exhaust brake simply dumps exhaust back into the cylinders to reduce the combustion process, it would probably help speed up the warm-up process.
I don't think there are any extra moving metal parts involved that would be stressed. Just my opinion. I'm sure there will be others.
I think a lot of guys here, and more importantly, FoMoCo as well, pretty much figure that 1 minute or less of idle at start up is sufficient to warm the engine up enough to use it.
I also think that you are fine but it does sound a little uncomfortable to run 3500 rpms when you know the oil temp is in the 70-90º range.
One more thing, you can bet the oil life monitor system is counting these events. If you run this engine like this for the next 5000 miles or more it would be interesting to see if your oil life is less than average. I usually get an oil change required message in the 7000-9000 mile range.
ok, sounds positive so far- & with 7500 miles on it, I had switched to 15w40 at 4000 miles as I was towing in the Nevada/Arizona area & was uncomortable with the stock 10w/30. But I forgot to reset my oil life monitor. So in 500 miles, I'm starting with fresh oil . As soon as I lightly brake, the tow haul drops me down to second gear, so I will just go a bit slower to keep my RPM's down to 3000 or less.
ok, sounds positive so far- & with 7500 miles on it, I had switched to 15w40 at 4000 miles as I was towing in the Nevada/Arizona area & was uncomortable with the stock 10w/30. But I forgot to reset my oil life monitor. So in 500 miles, I'm starting with fresh oil . As soon as I lightly brake, the tow haul drops me down to second gear, so I will just go a bit slower to keep my RPM's down to 3000 or less.
I watched a little more carefully, tapped the brakes- It will hold at 2600 RPM empty. I do know with the 5th wheel behind it, I do need the truck & trailer brakes engaged lightly on steep hwy downgrades, but it does a fairly decent job at holding it back- In fact, if I have cruise control engaged while in the tow haul mode, it really trys to maintain my speed on descent by downshifting on it own. To assist, I only use the trailer brakes manually, if I tap the brake pedal, cruise shuts off of course, & then towhaul is then just engaged on brake application. That is a really neat feature.
I do know with the 5th wheel behind it, I do need the truck & trailer brakes engaged lightly on steep hwy downgrades
Chris,
I edited out what you wrote to the part that concerns me.
Your not saying you ride the brakes to keep your speed down are you? If so you are heating up your brakes excessively and could be setting yourself up for serious trouble on a long steep grade.
In an ideal situation you want to slow down at the top of the grade and downshift so your motor, gearing and e/b will hold you at the speed you want to descend the hill. If this will not keep you at the speed you want, apply the brakes until 5 or 10 below the speed then let off. Once your speed increases where you want to be, apply the brakes again. This give your brakes time to dissipate the heat.
Chris,
I edited out what you wrote to the part that concerns me.
Your not saying you ride the brakes to keep your speed down are you? If so you are heating up your brakes excessively and could be setting yourself up for serious trouble on a long steep grade.
In an ideal situation you want to slow down at the top of the grade and downshift so your motor, gearing and e/b will hold you at the speed you want to descend the hill. If this will not keep you at the speed you want, apply the brakes until 5 or 10 below the speed then let off. Once your speed increases where you want to be, apply the brakes again. This give your brakes time to dissipate the heat.
Happy hauling.
Joe aka D/T
Hi Joe, Nope, not riding the brakes, Just meant that even with towhaul engaged, with a 13000 lb 5th behind me, I do need to use the brakes along with the engine braking to maintain a safe speed without over reving on the steeper grades.