grade brake on or off

[scottmohr]

I was at a rally and was told that you should leave your grade brake on all the time as it only work going down hill ?

[two2go]

It seems as soon as you hit the brake, it will downshift or hold gear. That may not be what you want in normal driving. You may want it to coast.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmohr I was at a rally and was told that you should leave your grade brake on all the time as it only work going down hill ?

scottmohr, Leave the Grade Brake "ON" all the time.

[azloafer]

I don't use the grade brake unless I have to stop fast or if I am going down a steep grade. I want to coast as much as possible in city traffic.

[M&EM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two2go It seems as soon as you hit the brake, it will downshift or hold gear. That may not be what you want in normal driving. You may want it to coast.

I have found this to be the case too. Example: after reaching the crest of hill and proceeding down, the first brake application may cause a downshift to too low a gear and annoyingly excessive engine revving. It does of course depend on situation, grades, and comfort levels. More often I find the first downshift is generally adequate to maintain speeds with minor brake applications that would otherwise initiate a second downshift. I feel my engine has been using somewhat more oil since the addition of the grade brake upgrade and that this may be due to very high RPMs occurring more frequently.

Marty

[az bound]

I also leave it on all the time. I find it especially useful in stop and go situations. Just a tap on the brake and it downshifts, slowing the down without using the brakes.

[JohnRR]

I opt for on all the time, in that "emergency" situation where you might need it it's too late to have to think about it then activate the switch while doing what ever other maneuvers the situation might call for.

As far as going down hill and getting too much braking effect out of it if the gas pedal is let off first the GB won't even engage, next would be a gentle application of the foot brake again without the GB applying, then after finding out that more braking is required and more pressure put on the pedal the GB will finally kick in and what I've found so far is even more pressure on the pedal will engage the GB further.

If too much braking or excessive engine revs are making you unhappy just a slight tap of the gas pedal will release the GB.

At least that's how mine works, so that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[azloafer]

Since we have an on/off switch on the grade brake I would suggest foregoing the air brake as the first application and use the grade brake instead, especially if it is a 6% or more of a grade. I think the RPMs are less and it will make you feel more in control. I recall reading tips on mountain driving and one was to use the grade brake to maintain the same speed downhill as you were going uphill. I think that tip was more for safety than anything, but it works. I talked to some seasoned full-timers and they said that they turn the grade brake on just as they go over the crest of the hill and start downward and picking up a little speed. I like to hear whatever suggestions others have and try them. I haven't had a lot of mountain driving experience, but when I did use the grade brake on downgrades, I was happy that I had it. There is a highway going into Benson, AZ that would have the brakes smoking were it not for the GB.

I first tried the GB with it on full time on small hills and flat highways, but didn't like the result, so I now use it only for big hills or faster stops when necessary. It has helped save me from some red light violations without having to hit the brakes really hard. You know, those times that you think the light will still be green when you get there!

I think it will end up being an experiment in what method works best for you. I hear the truckers downshifting and turning on the GB on I-8 every trip to California and back.

I have wondered if the brake lights come on when the GB is activated? Do they?

Happy travels, Joe

[JohnRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by azloafer I have wondered if the brake lights come on when the GB is activated? Do they?

If I'm not mistaken they only come on when you step on the brake pedal as in any vehicle.

[azloafer]

There is an interesting article on mountain driving at this link:
How To Drive Down Steep Hills... Without Using Your Brakes! - The Fun Times Guide

[akadeadeye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by azloafer Since we have an on/off switch on the grade brake I would suggest foregoing the air brake as the first application and use the grade brake instead, especially if it is a 6% or more of a grade. I think the RPMs are less and it will make you feel more in control. I recall reading tips on mountain driving and one was to use the grade brake to maintain the same speed downhill as you were going uphill. I think that tip was more for safety than anything, but it works. I talked to some seasoned full-timers and they said that they turn the grade brake on just as they go over the crest of the hill and start downward and picking up a little speed. I like to hear whatever suggestions others have and try them. I haven't had a lot of mountain driving experience, but when I did use the grade brake on downgrades, I was happy that I had it. There is a highway going into Benson, AZ that would have the brakes smoking were it not for the GB. I first tried the GB with it on full time on small hills and flat highways, but didn't like the result, so I now use it only for big hills or faster stops when necessary. It has helped save me from some red light violations without having to hit the brakes really hard. You know, those times that you think the light will still be green when you get there! I think it will end up being an experiment in what method works best for you. I hear the truckers downshifting and turning on the GB on I-8 every trip to California and back. I have wondered if the brake lights come on when the GB is activated? Do they? Happy travels, Joe

Yes, your brake lights come on when the GB is slowing you down. We did a test with a friend following us last year.

Don

[azloafer]

Thanks Don. That's good to know. Joe

[az bound]

Mine will not downshift if the RPMs are to high. I have to apply enough brake to get the revs to an acceptable level before it will drop a gear. If I allow the RPMs to go to high it will shift to the next higher automatically and I have to brake until it will shift back down.
I do not think the brake lights come on just by activating the GB. I believe they are activated by the switch on the brake pedal, but I have been wrong before.

[Full-Timers]

Scottmohr
Actually I was at the same rally (seminar) and we were not told that you should leave your grade brake on. We were told it wouldn’t hurt anything to leave your grade brake on. And several said they do just that. I guess it’s a matter of personal preference.