F250 diesel and when to put the engine brake on

[KandT]

Just wondering if F250 diesel owners leave their engine brake on when they aren't towing to save their disk brakes.  Seems like it runs through the transmission gears much more which may not be great for the transmission.

Mine has 3 options.  Automatic engine brake, engine brake on and none.

I am thinking when towing I would leave it "on" and when not towing leave it off or "automatic"????

Thanks for the thoughts. 

 

[donn]

Not a Ford, but on my Cummins my Ebrake was on all the time.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Whatever you feel is best.  I always left mine exhaust or engine brakes on except in town driving or slippery conditions.

 

[edjunior]

Doesn't the engine brake reset to off once you turn the key off?  I'm pretty sure mine does.  I know the tow-haul does for sure.  But I believe the engine brake does also.

 

[steveblonde]

Doesn't the engine brake reset to off once you turn the key off?  I'm pretty sure mine does.  I know the tow-haul does for sure.  But I believe the engine brake does also.

) ) ) )

 

[donn]

Doesn't the engine brake reset to off once you turn the key off?  I'm pretty sure mine does.  I know the tow-haul does for sure.  But I believe the engine brake does also.

Of coirse it does.  Thats why you need to turn it on at start up.
BTW over on the Cummins forums there was a fella that posted a simple fix to reverse the switch.  Ebrake would come on at startup, and you had to manually turn it off.  Basic relay and some simple wiring was all it took.  Im guessing if the OP searched on Ford forums he could find someone who has done the same thing for Fords.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Well, the exhaust brake in my old 1999 F250 was an aftermarket install and the switch stayed on or off, independent of the ignition key.  So did the engine brake in my 2004 diesel motorhome.

 

[donn]

Well, the exhaust brake in my old 1999 F250 was an aftermarket install and the switch stayed on or off, independent of the ignition key.  So did the engine brake in my 2004 diesel motorhome.

Things have changed a lot aince then.  GMs D/A combo does not use an exhaust brake.  Instead they use the transmission as a retarder.  Dodge/Ram use a sliding vane turbo that can be turned on at will.  Ford?  Im not sure how they designed their exhaust brake.  Regsrdless if there is a switch that must be turned on to use the EB there will be a way to have it turned on at power up and only turned off when conditions warrent.  And YES in slippery conditions it should be turned off.

 

[Joezeppy]

And YES in slippery conditions it should be turned off.

This was mentioned a couple of times. Curious - is it to avoid the drive wheels trying to "slow down too quickly" (if that makes sense)  and the momentum of the vehicle overpowering them thereby increasing the chance of skidding on a wet surface?

 

[donn]

Basically yes.  Its the same effect trying to stop in the snow with an automatic.  The engine will keep trying to push you foreword.  Simply placing the car in neutral makes it much easier to stop.

 

[Joezeppy]

Makes sense, thanks. Reminds me of a situation back when I was 17 - I was riding with my uncle to pick up my cousin at college around Christmas time. He insisted on using (well, fighting with) the cruise control even though the roads were snow covered. Even as a new driver I knew that was a bad idea but it was a "don't question your elders" situation so I just sat there and kept my mouth shut...and butt clenched!

 

[Warboar]

I don't leave mine on all the time.  I will turn it on from time to time when not towing to allow the variable Vanes to actuate and not allow the soot to build up on them.  It's something that was recommended to me by a Service Tech at my brother in-laws dealership when I had my RAM.  He said when towing always have it on and when not towing you should use it frequently just to allow the vanes in the turbo to move.  With the emissions dumping exhaust back into the intake of these trucks it will cause a build up on the Turbo.  Granted now that the DEF has been added there is less exhaust actually dumped into the motor.