Modern technology has benefited the automobile in more ways than you could count on an Excel spreadsheet. Specifically, heavy duty vehicles have benefited greatly in terms of fuel economy and overall drivability. In fact, General Motors plans to introduce 25 new technologies this year to benefit the Chevrolet brand alone.
Today, GMC has put together a brief presentation on how its exhaust brake technology works to assist the driver while piloting the Sierra HD diesel. What the technology does is assist the truck in stopping while descending down hills to reduce the wearing of the truck’s brakes. It utilizes the diesel engine’s turbocharger back-pressure in an efficient matter, because hey, why let all of that energy go to waste?
The feature is driver selectable and standard on every Sierra HD equipped with the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine. With the flip of a switch below the climate controls, the system is engaged, and subsequently, flipping it again disengages it.
When it’s activated, the truck will automatically begin slowing down on downgrades without applying the brakes allowing for greater driver control, especially when towing large loads behind the truck. Though, drivers should expect more downshifts from the transmission and not be alarmed by increased frequency of them. In fact, the increased downshifts increase engine speed, therefore heightening the effectiveness of the exhaust brake.
The exhaust brake also works in concert with the cruise-control when active, so there are no worries of the systems clashing with one another.
Check out the informative video down below of the intricate system making towing easier, and hassle free.
Comments
We own a GMC 3500 2016 and the exhaust brake stopped working. We have had it at 2 different dealerships and they say it works but it does not work. Help!!!!
The exhaust brake is only used to supplement the foot brake. Do not use it as a full braking method. Im a commercial driver by profession and if you are using it as a supplement instead of a necessity you will have a different view of it and discover it works fine.
2018 chevy high country diesel exhaust brake works about half the time chevy says its fine. Works as designed. What a joke!!!
Purchased a 2018 2500HD High Country 6 mo ago. I have had it to the dealer multiple times as exhaust brake works intermittently. They claim it was designed that way. Is this what chevy has come to that they are not willing to acknowledge their mistakes or customers? I am devastated as I expected more from my first new vehicle. Buy another Chevy? Probably not.
I have multiple gmc HD trucks that all have the exhaust brake. Years ranging from 2008 to 2014. We work on very hilly terrain and are always hauling or towing heavy loads. This braking option is one of the most unbelievable options gm could of ever released. It not only saves on brakes but it relieves stressful situations driving down steep grades. It’s amazing that you can set your cruise control and allow the truck to regulate speed so well, even when hauling. We didn’t know what to expect when we started using them. Once you understand that it is not an option to just brake the vehicle but it is to regulate the speed.
I have a 2017 GMC Denali dually and I’m also having issues when towing my 5th wheel camper. It seems to function on its own when not turned on and I’m going down a hill, even with no cruise control on. And then when I manually shift into a low gear and activate the switch it does not turn on. I about burned out my breaks on Memorial Day weekend and had to feather the trailer brakes. Very frustrated. Even more frustrated that in the owners manual it does not instruct you on how to use the exhaust brakes, it just describes its function. Any help would be nice. I’m kind of tired of having to google information that I should get from the dealer, considering the price I paid.
I own a 2018 Silverado 3500HD and im wondering why the Exhaust Brake switch is so far away from the driver? When i want to slow down the rig as fast as possible, why should i be moving closer to the airbag and have a chance at getting clobbered id i do have a crash. I recommend switching the places of the pedel adjustment switch, you shouldnt be adjusting pedels while moving anyway, with the exhaust brake switch which should be as close to the driver as possible, to activate it on a moments notice. Im a commercial driver by profession and this just seems like a safety issue to me.
I have the 2017 L5P with factory exhaust brake….it really doesn’t do much while going down 6% grades. Thankfully, I had disc brakes installed on my trailer. Now my ABS fights the trailer brakes. Had to replace both pin box and 5th wheel hitch after one panic stop. Will try disconnecting factory trailer brakes to install Prodigy 3 controller. Anyone put a real exhaust brake on their truck instead of the joke factory one?
My 2016 Duramax 3500 does not work on downhills either. So, this is not a rare problem. Gm needs to come up with a remedy quickly.
I have a GMC 3500. The exhaust brake worked great until the exhaust filter clean took place. Now my exhaust brake will not engage even though all indications on dash say it is. Took it to the dealer who said without a code they don’t know what to do. I need this brake to function…very frustrating.
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