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Saturday, July 1. 2017

What are Jake Brakes?


You have heard their sound many times, usually from heavy trucks on downhill slopes. They are a kind of engine brake.


Heavy trucks could burn out their foot brakes on hills, and downshifting can be risky - if you get stick in Neutral, you could be dead. 

Posted by The News Junkie in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 11:33 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)

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In Maine I have seen road signs that say "No jake braking," presumably because of the noise. I had never heard of the term until then.
#1 Dave on 2017-07-01 14:40 (Reply)
I've seen the signs. I forget when I learned what jake brakes are, and why the name.
#2 Sam L. on 2017-07-01 16:01 (Reply)
The sound is a constant if you live in logging country. The truckers should not need signs when braking on hills in a village... most do not. It is a simple courtesy to not wake the residents with a Jake brake at 6 AM.

As a former log truck owner I can say that the loaded gasoline engine trucks (no Jake brakes) were scary because you had to crawl down the steep hills in a low gear. You only have a matter of seconds before the brakes burn out if the truck pops out of gear.

Jake brakes significantly enhance highway safety.
#3 CT on 2017-07-01 18:13 (Reply)

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