What is Exhaust Braking?

What is Exhaust Braking?

According to truck commercials that make their way to broadcast airwaves, true power is the measure of a pickup’s ability to haul heavy poundage uphill. And while few deny the significance of incline towing prowess, less attention is often paid to controls that facilitate a safe and stable experience when road grades transition to a decline.

Illustrated below, exhaust braking is one such support for drivers looking to safely manage the speed of their truck and trailer tandem. Of course, downhill acceleration is the natural result of gravity’s effect on a tons-heavy trailer—and exhaust braking is a decelerative measure engineered to manage vehicle speed without the constant use of conventional braking. In other words, exhaust braking is a good friend of pickup pads and rotors everywhere. But since “good friend” is an unsatisfying answer to the question at hand, allow Allegheny Ford Isuzu to tackle “What is exhaust braking?” from a more technical perspective.

Often a feature of diesel-powered engines, exhaust braking ultimately works to slow the speed of a vehicle by disrupting the flow of exhaust from engine to tailpipe. This is accomplished by means of a butterfly valve—as the included diagram indicates. The “off” position represents a standard flow of exhaust from each engine cylinder and throughout the vehicle’s pipework. Exhaust braking is all a product of the “on” position, however.

When drivers ease completely off the throttle or gas pedal (as they would when driving downhill), the truck’s exhaust valve switches from open to partially closed. This creates a buildup of pressure in the exhaust manifold—and this pressure is a significant consideration in the effort to answer “What is exhaust braking?” As the diagram suggests, pressure that builds in the exhaust manifold will eventually exert its influence in the engine cylinders themselves. In accordance with the design of a mechanical drivetrain, exhaust pressure that inhibits the motion of an engine’s pistons also inhibits the motion of its crankshaft. This effect carries through all the way to the wheel axle, and drivers enjoy the control of vehicle deceleration without having to put undue stress on conventional braking components.

As a standard feature of Ford’s second-generation 6.7L Power Stroke® diesel, Pittsburgh drivers looking to answer “What is exhaust braking?” from a practical perspective are encouraged to contact the team at Allegheny Ford Isuzu today.

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