Engine braking
 

This meme got me thinking. We have two construction sites that trucks are accessing via the road that I live on. Lots and lots of engine braking. Since they don't do it before 7am or after 6pm, I have no issues with it. Some of my neighbors are otherwise.

So when I found this, I had to post it to the HOA site

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attach...1&d=1648828806

Re: Engine braking
 

:D

Re: Engine braking
 

:tu

Re: Engine braking
 

:lr

Re: Engine braking
 

Too funny. I saw a "No Engine Braking" sign on the interstate in Wisconsin yesterday, and I was trying to think of what it sounds like. Is it a noise that sounds like hissing?

Re: Engine braking
 

I used to see the signs as well coming into Sacramento on I5. I looked this up now as I was curious if those signs and codes are enforceable or just polite suggestions.

https://www.bakersfieldtrafficticket...lation-in-cal/

Seems like it’s a coin toss.

I personally was never bothered even when I lived right above I-80 in Reno. You hear it for sure but it’s usually just a short burst as the truck slows for something.

Here is the sound.

https://youtu.be/qocMoTOVn6Q


https://youtu.be/qocMoTOVn6Q

Re: Engine braking
 

Re: Engine braking
 

Not at all what I thought the sound was. Yeah, that's pretty annoying. :r

Re: Engine braking
 

Yep, the Jake brake. I read up on how they work. It's pretty interesting

Re: Engine braking
 

It's either that, or this:


https://youtu.be/h5KgKebgkwk

Re: Engine braking
 

I get both sides. From the trucker's perspective, you can't go downhill simply riding the brakes all the time, especially mountains and such. Your brakes will fail. Just towing my 5th wheel through parts of Tennessee and northern Alabama have heated my brakes up more than I like. Warped one set of rotors on my truck.

However, if it's flat land and near residential areas I get it. Nothing like that noise at 3AM 100ft outside your window, loud enough to wake the dead.

Re: Engine braking
 

I would pull my hair out if I were a trucker and had to deal with the clueless four wheelers who don't grasp the concept of watching their rear mirrors and getting outta the way of that Peterbuilt hauling 70,000 lbs. on a downhill grade.

Re: Engine braking
 

That occasional hissing sound you hear when you're by a truck or bus is from the pneumatic (air) system for the brakes. They use compressed air stored in air reservoirs that's generated by a compressor. They have a safety system that lets off some air sometimes to keep the pressure within limits.

Re: Engine braking
 

Thanks Ron. :tu

Re: Engine braking
 

Also semi trailer brakes work in reverse of car brakes, air pressure holds then open, bleed off pressure to engage the brakes. If they lose air pressure completely, the brakes lock up.