5 Tips to Keep Your Cool on Steep Roads
By John Clark, retired Newell V.P. of Customer Service
Reprinted from Newells News, Spring 2013 and still timely
A distressed driver called to report that smoke was pouring from his Newell’s wheel wells. Descending a long grade had given his coach a bad—but avoidable—case of “hot wheels.” His wheels weren’t ruined but they could have been. Following the five easy tips below will help prevent hot wheels and will also help ensure that your trip down a mountain is as safe and pleasurable as the trip up!
- Use your engine brake (“Jake brake”) as much as possible. The engine brake is controlled by the OFF/ON and HIGH/LOW switches located on the driver-side arm panel. The OFF/ON must be ON for the engine brake to work. It then works automatically when the throttle is lifted. The exhaust valves in the engine cylinders stay closed after the compression cycle, and the air compression in the cylinders slows the vehicle.
- To maximize your engine’s braking power, turn the engine brake ON and the HIGH/LOW switch to HIGH. This engages all six cylinders. If this slows you too much, switch to LOW. Your engine brake will then work on four cylinders instead of six.
- Even with the engine brake working and both switches on, you may need to downshift on steep grades. Start your descent in the gear you used to climb the hill. To get the speed you want, fine-tune your gear and engine-brake selection based on how well the engine brake is holding your descent speed. If you select a gear that allows you to adjust your speed by switching between the HIGH and LOW engine brake positions, you will rarely, if ever, need to use your air brakes during a descent.
NOTE: When you downshift to increase engine braking, don’t worry about over-revving the engine. The transmission automatically upshifts when you reach the “no load” rev limit of approximately 2,400 RPM.
- If you must use your air brakes, DON’T apply steady pressure during a long or steep descent, and don’t “pump” your brakes. Instead, apply your brakes just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown. When you’ve reduced your speed to about 5 mph below your safe speed, release the brakes. If you’re in the correct gear, this should last for about three seconds. When your speed has again increased to your safe speed, repeat the process. If you have to do this more than twice per minute, downshift to slow down. (See tip 3.) Again, don’t worry about over-revving the engine; the transmission automatically upshifts at about 2,400 RPM.
- If you’ve used your air brakes during a descent, and they’re “smokin’ hot,” DON’T immediately park at the bottom of the grade. If you park and apply your parking brake while the brakes are still hot, the combined heat and pressure can damage your wheels, rotors and pads. Instead, drive on for a few miles so air keeps flowing over the wheels, rotors and pads, allowing the brakes to cool.
NOTE: If the Alcoa label near the outside rim of one of your aluminum wheels has blackened or blistered, or the blue dot on the label has turned to a reddish color, your wheels have probably overheated. A qualified professional should inspect the wheels and brakes.
Happy driving!
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