Exhaust brake usage

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E

Elc-1973

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I’ve been told by a mechanic to always use my exhaust brake even if not towing. Does this sound right? Is there any harm in it?
 
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KKBB

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Yes...use it...except in snowy or icy conditions. It will help to keep the moving vanes of the VGT more free from soot build up.
 
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Travelin Ram

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I use mine on a regular basis as mentioned, to keep the mechanism from sticking.

I don’t use it all the time, though. Brake pads are cheaper than transmissions.

The engine (well, the block anyway) may outlast the truck but the trans is always the weak sister.
 
69GWC

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Yes Sir use it.
It’s also in the turbo and not the transmission so don’t worry about that.
 
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2020PW

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Transmission?? What does the transmission have to do with the exhaust brake?

I always use it, with not issues.
 
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It's just more wear on the transmission, driveline and VGT actuator. It also hurts your overall fuel economy a little bit since you don't coast as much.

I use mine occasionally if I haven't towed in a while just to exercise it. Using it 100% of the time isn't necessary.
 
18CrewDually

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Choupique said:
It's just more wear on the transmission, driveline and VGT actuator. It also hurts your overall fuel economy a little bit since you don't coast as much.

I use mine occasionally if I haven't towed in a while just to exercise it. Using it 100% of the time isn't necessary.
Click to expand...

Travelin Ram said:
I use mine on a regular basis as mentioned, to keep the mechanism from sticking.

I don’t use it all the time, though. Brake pads are cheaper than transmissions.

The engine (well, the block anyway) may outlast the truck but the trans is always the weak sister.
Click to expand...

Using the exhaust brake locks the torque converter clutches. That is a good thing. By not using exhaust brake on a deceleration the clutches slip causing more wear.
You're better off using the exhaust brake like others mentioned.
 
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Travelin Ram

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18CrewDually said:
Using the exhaust brake locks the torque converter clutches. That is a good thing. By not using exhaust brake on a deceleration the clutches slip causing more wear.
You're better off using the exhaust brake like others mentioned.
Click to expand...

Do as you like, when the EB is in use the transmission still has downshift, under load. Every instance is consuming clutch material. Otherwise it’s downshifting at near idle with negligible torque applied.

In any case, merry Christmas one and all, no matter whether you use the brakes or the reverse thrusters.
 
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Choupique

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18CrewDually said:
Using the exhaust brake locks the torque converter clutches. That is a good thing. By not using exhaust brake on a deceleration the clutches slip causing more wear.
You're better off using the exhaust brake like others mentioned.
Click to expand...

I feel like mine keeps the clutch engaged down to low idle speed whether I am using the exhaust brake or not. Difference is that when the EB is on, it will downshift continually until the minimum engagement speed. When EB and tow/haul are both off, it will unlock at low idle and basically go to neutral until you hit the gas pedal, then select a gear and clutch in.

Using the exhaust brake is definitely harder on everything except the VGT vanes. I personally don't think it matters one way or the other from a long term reliability perspective.
 
06 Dodge

06 Dodge

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Choupique said:
It's just more wear on the transmission, driveline and VGT actuator. It also hurts your overall fuel economy a little bit since you don't coast as much.

I use mine occasionally if I haven't towed in a while just to exercise it. Using it 100% of the time isn't necessary.
Click to expand...
Don't know about yours but my truck has 2 setting for EB, Full and Auto I run Auto and I'm able to coast not as much or as far if you have the EB off, according to a few mechanics I have asked they say use the auto as it keeps the veins moving in turbo an help them from sticking, as for being hard on trans I have yet to hear complaints from owners who use there truck hauling for a living, they run tow mode all the time with Full EB an have not yet complained about trans problems a few I have seen post else where have put over 100K on there tans with out problems...
 
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E

Elc-1973

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Yes the reason I was given was to keep the veins cooling. Made sense to me just confirming with others. Thanks for your time!
 
69GWC

69GWC

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Running it keeps the veins clean from soot, had to replace my turbo just from it getting sooted up and freezing the turbo veins up.
At the time the dealer wanted $5000 to replace it, did it myself for half that though.
 
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Retired truck driver. Tow a large 5th wheel trailer. 33,000 lbs going down the road. 3500 dually 4x4 big ho Cummins. I try to use the EB every time I drive, towing or not. Have to admit I sometimes forget to turn it on… being an old fart and all LOL.
 
dputnam01

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I use full EB all the time. Its to the point where if I forget to put it on, and am heading down hill and don't get the drag when I let off the gas, I have a momentary adrenaline (panic) rush ;)
 
Danny Phillips

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I use mine along with the gear shift button. I drive it like a manual trans. I very rarely get into 6th gear. On my 2015 the EB cuts out at 1100 rpm's.
 
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