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Home ►Tech Tips ►Part I: Exhaust Retarders by Ed Purcell
WHY DO I NEED AN EXHAUST BRAKE?
The biggest factor in favor of the diesel engine over a gas engine is the high torque / displacement
factor. A diesel engine will change a conventional pick up truck into a true workhorse boosting tow
capabilities by as much as 50%. The same is true in the midrange vocational vehicles and coaches.
WHY DO I NEED AN EXHAUST BRAKE?
The biggest factor in favor of the diesel engine over a gas engine is the high torque / displacement
factor. A diesel engine will change a conventional pick up truck into a true workhorse boosting tow
capabilities by as much as 50%. The same is true in the midrange vocational vehicles and coaches.
The biggest factor against a diesel is it's
inherent lack of retarding power. Take your foot
off the throttle and a diesel virtually free
wheels. Add a 6 8 percent grade hill to the
equation and the result is overheating brakes,
brake fade and a good chance of a runaway.
An exhaust brake turns your engine from
producing power into a retarding device,
which absorbs energy and the resulting
retarding effect slows the engine and vehicle
quickly.
inherent lack of retarding power. Take your foot
off the throttle and a diesel virtually free
wheels. Add a 6 8 percent grade hill to the
equation and the result is overheating brakes,
brake fade and a good chance of a runaway.
An exhaust brake turns your engine from
producing power into a retarding device,
which absorbs energy and the resulting
retarding effect slows the engine and vehicle
quickly.
There is also the money that an exhaust brake can save you. Reduced maintenance on your service
brakes is a direct cost saving. If you use an exhaust brake all the time, as it was designed to be used,
you use your service brakes considerably less. This means that the pads, shoes, rotors and drums by
as much as 5 times. Considering the average cost of relining your brakes is $300.00 to $1500.00
(depending on what components needed replacing) an exhaust brake would save you $1500.00 to
$7500.00 on brake repairs. If you are hauling a trailer behind your rig you can factor in the reduced
maintenance on that set of brakes as well. This makes an exhaust brake a "pays for itself" add on
product for your truck.
Another factor is the "piece of mind" driving knowing that your service brakes are there for you when you
need them. When you use your service brakes less not only are they worn less they are cooler which
means that there is considerably less chance of brake fade and a "run away".
Truck Parts East recommends the Pacbrake ® Exhaust Brakes which are built tough, work strong and
backed by the best warranty in the industry. The demand for the performance, reliability and economy
of the diesel engine has shifted into high gear. The growing popularity for these engines is seen in the
automotive, vocational and recreational vehicle industries. As the applications for the diesel engine
grow so do the models of engines. Matching the right engine to the application is important to balance
the performance and economy factors, especially when the diesel engine costs thousands of dollars
more than a conventional gasoline engine.
HOW DOES AN EXHAUST BRAKE WORK?
brakes is a direct cost saving. If you use an exhaust brake all the time, as it was designed to be used,
you use your service brakes considerably less. This means that the pads, shoes, rotors and drums by
as much as 5 times. Considering the average cost of relining your brakes is $300.00 to $1500.00
(depending on what components needed replacing) an exhaust brake would save you $1500.00 to
$7500.00 on brake repairs. If you are hauling a trailer behind your rig you can factor in the reduced
maintenance on that set of brakes as well. This makes an exhaust brake a "pays for itself" add on
product for your truck.
Another factor is the "piece of mind" driving knowing that your service brakes are there for you when you
need them. When you use your service brakes less not only are they worn less they are cooler which
means that there is considerably less chance of brake fade and a "run away".
Truck Parts East recommends the Pacbrake ® Exhaust Brakes which are built tough, work strong and
backed by the best warranty in the industry. The demand for the performance, reliability and economy
of the diesel engine has shifted into high gear. The growing popularity for these engines is seen in the
automotive, vocational and recreational vehicle industries. As the applications for the diesel engine
grow so do the models of engines. Matching the right engine to the application is important to balance
the performance and economy factors, especially when the diesel engine costs thousands of dollars
more than a conventional gasoline engine.
HOW DOES AN EXHAUST BRAKE WORK?
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