What is Engine Braking? Is it Harmful for the Engine?

Techniques Used for Engine Braking

Engine braking is accomplished in a variety of unique ways, depending on the vehicle. We explain it below.

Cars

When driving a typical consumer vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the engine brake is rarely used, but it is technically possible to do so by shifting from Drive (D) to Low. This is accomplished by lowering the vehicle’s gear ratio (L). When you take your foot off the gas pedal while driving with the L gear engaged, the vehicle will remain in a low gear and its speed will decrease as a result. In the same vein as dropping the gear into neutral while driving, you should never do this while you are going fast. It was possible to use it without risk by shifting into Low gear just before going down a hill or mountain. These autos also feature the capacity for the driver to change gears. Simply shifting down to a lower gear and allowing that lower gear to continue to slow the car down is all the driver needs to do to bring it to a slower pace. By shifting down into lower ratios, you can apply more force to the brakes; but, to do this successfully, you need to have a solid understanding of the vehicle, including its rev ranges and gearing. Should you downshift into a gear that is too low while moving at a speed that is too high, the needle may rise past the redline, which will cause damage to the engine. If you have a manual gearbox and you want to use the engine brake, you need to let the car slow down into the appropriate range, shift down one gear at a time, and make sure the folks behind you are aware that you are reducing your speed.

Semi-Trucks

Two primary approaches are utilized for the role of engine braking in diesel semi-trucks. Backpressure can be generated with some technologies by installing a valve on the exhaust of the engine. This backpressure exerts a force that works against the forward motion of the engine, causing it to move more slowly. The second piece of technology is referred to as a Jake Brake.

What Is a Jake Brake?

The Jake brake has absolutely nothing to do with Jake from State Farm, despite the widespread perception to the contrary. Diesel trucks utilize a device known as the Jake brake, which is a valve timing system, to slow down the vehicle by using the engine. When the intake valve is opened in a typical combustion cycle, the process of burning fuel begins with the introduction of gas into the combustion chamber. After the air has been compressed and ignited by the piston, the piston will go back down to allow the vehicle to move forward. After that, the exhaust valve will open, and when it does, the piston will rise, which will force the exhaust air to leave the chamber. After the first compression stroke during the operation of the Jake Brake technology, the exhaust valve will open, allowing the air and energy to be released. Because there is not enough energy to pull the piston back up, the system is retarded, which causes the vehicle’s speed to decrease.

How to perform the Engine Braking?

When it comes to using the engine brake, there are a few procedures that need to be taken, and at first, it may take a few tries before you get the hang of it. When practicing engine braking, one of the most important things to keep in mind is your safety; hence, the first time you do it, you should do it on roads that are level, uncrowded, and dry.

Braking the engine requires a varied technique based on the type of transmission a passenger vehicle has. This technique is utilized more frequently in automobiles that have a manual transmission. It is necessary to remove your foot from the accelerator, shift down into a lower gear, and then gradually let go of the clutch to achieve a gradual decrease in speed. It is essential to allow the vehicle to slow down to the appropriate speed before shifting down through the gears one at a time. This will begin to slow down the vehicle, and as a result, you won’t have to step on the brakes as soon as you need to. After that, you can stop the car without damaging it by using the clutch and the brake to bring the vehicle to a stop. To use this stopping technique in a way that is both safe and effective, all you need is good timing and some familiarity with the gears and rev ranges of your vehicle.

The Advantages of Engine Braking

In addition to being an exceptionally ingenious concept, engine braking provides drivers with three distinct advantages that can enhance their time spent behind the wheel.

It Reduces wear on the brakes of the vehicle

Engine braking slows the car without the need to activate the brakes. You can maintain control of the vehicle and your deceleration, which means that you will only need to apply the brakes at significantly lower speeds for a significantly shorter period because the automobile is slowing down in a way that is not active on your part. This results in less wear, less heat, and less fade as compared to before. The worth of your vehicle will undoubtedly go up as a direct result of this because your brakes will last much longer.

It is Safe!

When it is important to maintain speed control when driving down extremely steep and extended slopes, the use of active engine braking, which consists of shifting down into a lower gear, is useful. In addition, if you apply the brakes to your engine when you notice the traffic ahead of you beginning to slow down rather than waiting until the very last second to come to a stop, you give yourself and the people behind you more time to react to changing circumstances.

Congestion can arise for no apparent cause, and it’s not hard to see how that could happen. You also have the benefit of being in a position to respond more effectively if something unexpected takes place. If you have lower gear, it signifies that you have the option to either speed up or slow down to avoid an impending threat. When traveling at low speeds, using a high gear will waste power and increase the likelihood that the vehicle will stall. Additionally, fast and sharp braking increases the likelihood that the vehicle behind you will drive into the rear of you.

It is better for the Engine in the Long Run

To start, let’s debunk a common misconception: using your vehicle’s engine to slow down does not in any way damage the engine. Engines are built to operate at speeds of thousands of revolutions per minute for extended periods. Although shifting down can be a little choppy at times, it does not cause any damage to the vehicle. It is also beneficial to the engine because the manufacturer intended for it to be operated in such a manner. Even though drum brakes have been replaced with more modern disc brakes, the fundamental structure of an internal combustion engine has remained mostly the same over the past few decades.

An engine should move down (or up) through the gears gradually rather than moving from fifth to second gear all at once. Because of the same factor, it also has a far lower overall fuel consumption. In contrast to just applying the brakes or shifting the vehicle into neutral, engine braking brings an end to the use of fuel.

When you draw away from a stop in a lower gear rather than when you drive away at moderate speeds while in high gear, you will consume less fuel. When you sum it all up, you get a drive that is safer, more economical, and with brakes that will last longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is using the engine to slow down preferable to using the brakes normally?

When driving under typical conditions, applying the footbrake is virtually always the most secure and efficient technique to reduce the speed of the vehicle. When driving under typical conditions, it is possible to apply the engine brake, but doing so serves no other purpose than to slow or stop the vehicle and is not considered a safety feature.

Is the Same Thing as Downshifting When the Engine Is Braking?

No. When driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, the easiest way to engage engine braking is to keep the vehicle in gear but remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. The act of shifting into a lower gear is referred to as downshifting.

Why Is Not Allowed to Brake the Engine?

Engine braking is loud. The continual noise might be grating in locations where there is a high concentration of semi-trucks driving and stopping.

Is Engine Braking Dangerous?

The act of braking with the engine is not in and of itself dangerous; nevertheless, there are circumstances in which it can be. Because typical pedal braking utilizes rear brake lights, but engine braking does not, those who are following your vehicle closely will not be aware that you have opted to employ engine braking because this method does not use them.

Is It A Bad Idea To Put Your Car In Neutral?

When driving a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the act of changing into neutral while driving does not pose a significant safety risk. However, shifting back into driving while the vehicle is moving can be stressful for the interior components of the vehicle.

What Happens If You Rev the vehicle Too Much?

If you accelerate past the point indicated by the red line, you will waste petrol, do damage to your vehicle, and give the impression that you are trying too hard. Go for it if you are interested in that, dislike dealing with cash, and enjoy working on your vehicle. We are not your mothers in any way.

How does engine braking work?

When the throttle is wide open, the piston can more easily draw air and fuel into the cylinder as it moves downward during the intake stroke. When the throttle is closed, the piston will continue to try to draw air in; however, the throttle plate will be closed, so the piston will be sucking against a closed tube. The vacuum that is produced acts as a drag on the piston, which causes the piston to move more slowly; this, in turn, slows down the speed of the rear wheel.

Will using the engine brake cause any damage to my vehicle?

Because engine braking may result in high revs, several motorists are concerned that it will be detrimental to their engines. Everything hinges on how close the RPM is to the red line and how long it stays there.

It is important to check that the rev counter has not gone beyond the “red line” before attempting to conduct an engine brake by shifting down to a lower gear. However, you should be concerned if the RPM is higher than you would expect.

When using engine braking, you should also keep in mind the potential danger it poses to the transmission system. If you suddenly shift from a high gear to a low gear, you could put extra strain on the gears and the clutch plate, which could result in a repair bill that is significantly more than the price of a new set of brake pads.