Not all signs on the highway belong to you and your car. You’ve never seen an SUV or minibus towed to a weighing station; These areas are just for. Most of the signs that say “no engine brake” are only for cars with Jake brakes. These compounds are some.
What are Jake’s Brakes?
Jake’s brakes are a special engine braking system that uses exhaust valves to slow it down. When truck drivers activate this system, the exhaust valves open at the top of the compression stroke, allowing this engine system to slow the truck. This is similar to taking your foot off the gas but a little more powerful.
Some communities don’t appreciate the sound that comes from Jake’s brakes. These brakes make an incredibly loud sound that can come from these brakes. When engaged, some feel these brakes sound like a gunshot and continue loudly as the system engages.
Communities that have banned the use of these brakes often post signs that read, “No motor brake.” Some areas have markings over time to ensure truck drivers don’t engage the Jake’s brakes early in the morning or late at night. Truck drivers who ignore the signs will be fined by truck drivers who use them in restricted areas.
Does this braking system hurt the engine or use more fuel?
No, Jake’s brakes don’t use more fuel and don’t hurt the engine. These brakes can only hurt the engine when the driver pushes the engine RPM level above the maximum limit before applying these brakes. Engine braking also stops fuel consumption, which is an advantage over normal braking or shifting the truck into neutral.
What is the origin of the name Jake Brakes?
As expected, the name comes from the product called Jacobs Engine Brake. The company that first made these brakes, Jacobs Vehicle Systems, named the system on a diesel engine retarder that uses the engine to slow a car that uses exhaust valve operation to lower engine power and slow the engine speed.
Does my car have this braking system?
You won’t have Jake brakes unless you drive a big truck. Usually, these brakes are only used on semi-trucks, but some heavy-duty trucks have them. In fact, some recent versions of the Ford F-250 Super Duty have engine brakes. Although Ford has this braking system, these engine brakes are becoming less common on regular trucks.
If you’ve ever heard a large semi truck slow down and hear a deafening noise from the engine, that’s Jake’s brakes engaging. While useful, this system is also very noisy and is a big part of the truckers’ world.
Then, check out some of the reasons, or learn more about Jake’s brakes in the video below:
