Jake Brake - What Is It, And How Do You Use It?

1. Jake Brakes will extend the life of the service brake shoes, when used properly.
2. They could also prevent your service brakes from catchinig on fire from over-heating.
3. Many drivers prefer to use only the Jake Brake when descending down an incline, staying in a gear low enough that allows the Jake to do all, or most, of the braking.
4. Foot brakes can be, and often are, used in conjunction with the Jake Brake.
5. The Jake Brake is most effective running high RPM's in a lower gear.
6. Every Jake Brake and engine combination could be different, so ask your company's mechanic what the safe or ideal operating ranges are for your truck.
7. Use it sparingly, if at all, on slippery or potentially slippery surfaces, as the drive wheels could lock up and cause a jackknife. The ABS (anti-lock braking system) has no effect on the engine brake.
8. If it is kept on all of the time, slow your speed relative to road conditions to avoid loss of traction.
9. Typical Jake Brakes have 3 settings, corresponding to the number of cylinders that it affects: 1-position affects 2 cylinders, 2-position 4 cylinders, and 3-position 6 cylinders.
10. The higher the brake setting, the greater the braking power, use lower settings in less-than-optimal road conditions.
11. Engine should be at operating temperature and oil should not be low, when using the Jake Brake.
12. Before descending a long, steep, grade, make sure that your Jake Brake is working properly by briefly lifting your foot off the throttle.
13. Don't use the Jake Brake to scare bicyclists or small children. It's rude.

The Jake Brake's biggest advantage is preventing brake overheating, which will gradually inhibit the brakes from working properly, or stopping.

"Jake Brake", or "compression release brake", is a component installed on diesel engines that slows the vehicle without the driver having to apply the service (foot) brakes.

The Jake Brake releases compressed air from the cylinder, slowing the vehicle by absorbing the engine's power.

Jake Brakes are commonly used to control the truck speed while descending a steep grade, rather than using the foot brakes, saving wear on the brakes.

For most truck driver's purposes, diesel "engine brake" will be used as a generic term to mean "Jake Brake". There are actually several different types of engine braking, which use different methods.

The Jake Brake is technically classified as a "compression release engine brake".

Some municipalities and jurisdictions will have local codes or laws against the use of Jake Brakes within a certain area or certain times, as the sheer volume of the brake might startle or disturb the local population and peace.

It is a separate component installed on diesel engines, that when engaged, releases stored, compressed air from the cylinder at the top of the piston's stroke, preventing it from from returning it's energy to the crankshaft and powering the down-stroke, and slowing the vehicle as the air is compressed.

In other words, it puts resistance or drag on the crankshaft, and thus on the drive tires, to slow the vehicle.

When the accelerator is released and the clutch disengaged, diesel engines, without the Jake Brake engaged, continue their forward momentum and continue to generate power to the drive wheels, rather than slow the vehicle down, the opposite of what gasoline engines do.

The Jake Brake will slow the vehicle without using the service (foot) brakes, when the truck is in gear and both the throttle and clutch are released.

The Jake Brake is actually an engine retarder, using the kinetic energy of the vehicle's engine to slow the vehicle without using the service (foot) brakes.

It is generally recommended that drivers not use the Jake Brake on slippery or potentially slippery road conditions, as it only affects the drive tires and increases the chance of an uncontrolled skid or jackknife.

"The Jacobs Engine Brake (also known as the "Jake Brake®") is a diesel engine retarder that uses the engine to aid in slowing and controlling the vehicle. When activated, the engine brake alters the operation of the engine's exhaust valves so that the engine works as a power-absorbing air compressor. This provides a retarding, or slowing, action to the vehicle's drive wheels, enabling you to have improved vehicle control without using the service brakes*. This conservation results in reduced service brake maintenance, shorter trip times, and lower total cost of ownership."

Jacobs Vehicle Systems Official Website

1. Better to maintain a controlled speed, especially on downgrades.
2. Reduces service brake fade, or over-heating.
3. Reduces stopping time, in some cases.
4. Reduces wear on the wheel brakes.
5. Lower associated vehicle maintenance costs.

Because of the loud and deep rumble that Jake Brakes make when engaged, many communities and municipalities in both the United States and Canada have enacted laws prohibiting their use within or near residential areas.

In this instance, street signs will normally be posted, and penalties will take the form of civic fines. The signs may not reference "Jake Brakes" directly, as there have been trademark and copyright issues, but may use the more generic "Engine Braking" or "Compression Braking". Watch for them.

While the noise has been compared to a large lawnmower in terms of decibel level, in the quieter times of day late at night of early in the morning, it can be quite startling and disruptive to the residents in the community.

In 1960, Jacobs Manufacturing Company formed the Clessie L. Cummins Division specifically to manufacture Cummins' engine brake. Later re-named Jacobs Vehicle Systems, the "Jake" in Jake Brake is short for "Jacobs".

The Jacobs Engine Brake has been on the market since 1961.

Compression release engine brake