Engine braking practical

Brake fluid is supposed to be changed every couple of years or so and if that is done it shouldn’t be an issue with moisture getting in. Brake pads can fade when they get to hot depending on what type of pads are fitted, you can get different types for different applications. That’s in cars anyway, not sure if they do same choices in vans
 
My Relay van is in for service next week , first service,2 years or 12000 miles and they are changing the brake fluid as per makers instructions.
 
Think you are being a bit generalizing as well , you change down to be in the correct gear for the speed you are driving , if you need to slow down appreciably then you should be in a lower gear . When descending a long hill , it was always said that you select the gear that you would be in to go up , In a vehicle that is laden to its maximum or near then downshifting and using that gear on a decent is going to help , and minimise heating the brakes up , yes you do get to peak efficiency with some heat in the brakes but then that starts to reduce as temps go up (it is still an offense to overheat your brakes on a PSV) . With the advent of smaller higher performance turbo engines in vehicles the pure braking from engine overrun is not as big so going to the next lower gear helps . Engine braking will not wear gearbox out , as it is far less than the power being put thru the box when under max [power pulling . The only damage that may be done to components is thru hamfisted use of controls when downshifting . High Engine revs in lower gear gives better braking effect , this is used to great effect in my RV that will sequentially shift down when the exhaust brake is selected . @wildebus
 
RV2MAX said:
Think you are being a bit generalizing as well....... . @wildebus
Click to expand...
Thanks :) That is precisely my point ... you cannot be specific with a "do this. do that" when every circumstance varies.
 
Re brake fluid , its hygroscopic , so the moister the climate the more often it needs changing (Less so with full synthetic)
usually "brakefail" will happen first when the moisture in the fluid boils which causing a vapour which can be compressed which gives the effect of not supplying full liquid pressure transfer , ie soft pedal Then if that doesnt occur the next fade is due to friction materials overheating HTSH :)
 
only trouble with regular engine braking is the brake lights are off so the danger is a rear collision possibly increased so if you do engine brake be sure to touch the brake as well to ensure the lights are on
Patrick
 
Of course, going forward a bit you will be rely on the brakes to slow down as well as to recharge the batteries
 
With HGV usually when you engage any endurance braking system (telma, exhaust brake, Jake) the brake lights come on whenever it is in active operation .
 
Regarding brake fluid changing

I am convinced that a lot of garages both main dealers and independents pull a short cut and only flush through the pipe work to the bleed nipple at the nearest wheel to the master cylinder

They are under the false impression that they only need to change the fluid in brake master cylinder reservoir or just bone idle

Their method means three of the wheel cylinders / callipers don't get fresh fluid
Or the pipe work to it and that in the abs pump


I always check the dust covers before and after and every time in recent times ( my vehicles and familiar) I have insisted they do it again and at all 4 wheels as only the one dust cover has been removed easy to see the disturbance and finger prints on cap


There is NO excuse not to and the equipment they have that pumps fluid around is quick and easy
 
I Always HAVE to use engine braking in Hank the Tank (1996 Kontiki) as I would be killed to death otherwise. I found out the hard way when we first got it coming down the Simplon Pass between Italy and Switzerland way too fast and relying on the brakes and of course they faded. Luckily for me they hadnt gone completely and the next bend was easy enough to negotiate and after a bit of pumping they started to come back. Since then I have always used the engine. The Kontikis brakes are crap. Even coming down the Col de La Bonette (highest paved road in Europe) with it screaming its tits off in second gear I Still had smoke coming off the rear wheels when we stopped. We practically live for the big mountain passes though either in the van or on the scooter. I had total brake fade on the old Peugeot Scooter though in the Italian alps and its an automatic. That was "Interesting" :eek:

A trip wouldnt be an adventure though without a few near death experiences.
 
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