Need Braking Help
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Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 72
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From: Sigonella, Italy
Need Braking Help
Posted this in the Supercrew forum as well, just looking for more help.
I recently moved to Italy and my Supercrew finally showed up, thank god. Anyway, I live part way up an active volcano and part of the road to and from my house is very steep. It has a pretty steep angle (15-20%)for about 4-5 miles in pretty much a staright line. I have started taking the truck out of overdrive to help slow me down without using the brakes. I also have downshifted to 2nd gear to aid in slowing me down. I want to preserve the tranny and the brakes, any suggestions? Can you see any problem with how I currently use the tranny on the hill? Is there a compression/exhaust brake for a gasoline engine? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I put Rabestos brakes/ rotors on right before we moved, so they are new. Thanks in advance for the help.
Dan
I recently moved to Italy and my Supercrew finally showed up, thank god. Anyway, I live part way up an active volcano and part of the road to and from my house is very steep. It has a pretty steep angle (15-20%)for about 4-5 miles in pretty much a staright line. I have started taking the truck out of overdrive to help slow me down without using the brakes. I also have downshifted to 2nd gear to aid in slowing me down. I want to preserve the tranny and the brakes, any suggestions? Can you see any problem with how I currently use the tranny on the hill? Is there a compression/exhaust brake for a gasoline engine? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I put Rabestos brakes/ rotors on right before we moved, so they are new. Thanks in advance for the help.
Dan
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 171
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From: NC
Braking generates heat whether you use your engine and torque converter to do it, or if you use your wheel brakes.
Using the engine/torque-converter, the heat is dissipated through the radiator/tranny cooler. Using the brakes dissipates heat into the rotors and wheels.
Generating this heat also causes wear in whatever component you use. Brakes are cheaper than engines and trannys.
If your brakes are not fading on the descent, I'd use them. If they are fading or you can smell them heating, use a little engine braking (lower gear) to assist.
Scott D
Using the engine/torque-converter, the heat is dissipated through the radiator/tranny cooler. Using the brakes dissipates heat into the rotors and wheels.
Generating this heat also causes wear in whatever component you use. Brakes are cheaper than engines and trannys.
If your brakes are not fading on the descent, I'd use them. If they are fading or you can smell them heating, use a little engine braking (lower gear) to assist.
Scott D
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10
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From: Texas
I agree with Scott, I would use the brakes more than the tranny to slow down, because brakes are cheaper and easier to replace. Better yet, try a combo, such as 40% engine, and 60% braking power, so the heat factor will be even between both.
Speaking of heat, I am scared of you living close to a ACTIVE volcano! I lost family members in Hawaii due to lava.
Speaking of heat, I am scared of you living close to a ACTIVE volcano! I lost family members in Hawaii due to lava.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 1
From: Nu Joizey
Italian Volcanoes Danzit, are'nt you a little concerned being so close to Etna? I'm guessing that you're probably stationed at one of the numerous military bases there. I would love to be able to live in Sicily but I must admit that living part of the way up Etna is a little scary for my personal taste.
Good luck.
Last edited by LE PEW; Dec 10, 2003 at 08:56 PM.