On Wed, 6 Jun 2018 15:49:36 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 6/6/2018 12:35 PM, John H. wrote:
On Wed, 6 Jun 2018 06:59:53 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:



Those Jake brakes are really obnoxious, ought to be totally outlawed
in my opinion.


They are loud but you have to remember that a diesel, unlike a gasoline
engine, does not provide any engine braking when you take your foot
off the gas/fuel pedal. Going down a hill a diesel powered truck will
just keep accelerating and truckers would be replacing expensive brakes
often.



In 'tow/haul' mode, mine will downshift to slow down if I have the cruise control at a slower speed.
Also, going downhill and hitting the brakes will cause it to downshift.


I understand but still, a diesel offers no engine braking like a gas engine.


I haven't figured out how it works, but the engine RPM goes up as the truck is slowing down -
without me using the brake. It sure sounds and feels like the engine is slowing the truck down
somehow.