WHAT ARE JAKE BRAKES? HOW DOES IT WORK?

The brakes on a semi-truck are one of the most important parts so anytime you can add to their longevity, you will create a safer environment. To help keep your regular exhaust brakes in good order, Jake Brakes can be used instead. Learn more about Jake Brakes and how they can help create a safer environment while out on the road.

What are Jake Brakes? Jake Brakes work separately from exhaust brakes. They push the air out of an engine’s cylinders to stop a truck quickly, which gives a longer lifespan to traditional brakes. Jake Brakes are primarily used outside city limits as they produce a very loud noise.

What is the point of a Jake Brake?

Jake Brakes, also known as engine brakes, work to slow a large vehicle down, such as a semi-truck. Their name comes from the company, Jacobs Vehicle System, which created them.

The purpose of Jake Brakes is to take some of the stress off of standard service brakes. By having a second braking system installed in your truck, you can spread the load around, which means your service brakes won’t have as much wear and tear.

How does a jake brake work?

Unlike service brakes, which are employed automatically when you step on the brake pedal, the use of Jake Brakes necessitates a different switch. This then triggers the Jake Brake as it will be set up beforehand to operate efficiently.

Once you turn on the switch to activate the Jake Brake, it will stay on. To release the Jake Brake, you simply have to press down on the accelerator pedal or the clutch.

As for the mechanics of a Jake Brake, an understanding of the intake system in a semi-truck is needed. While a regular engine system involves pistons that have air forced into them, a Jake Brake works in opposition and pushes air out of exhaust valves. As a result, the truck slows down without using the service brakes.

What is the difference between a Jake Brake and an exhaust brake?

The fundamental difference between a Jake Brake and an exhaust brake lies in the compressed air inside the cylinders. Exhaust brakes keep that air inside the cylinders while a Jake Brake releases the air.

Once the air is released from the cylinders, the engine is forced to rotate slower. As a result, the entire truck loses speed.

When to use jake brakes?

The most common time to use your Jake Brake system is if you are traveling down a highway that has a steep grade. Steepness combined with a fast speed can cause a semi-truck to lose control, resulting in an accident.

You should only use Jake Brakes on major highways that are outside city limits as they cause a very high-pitch noise, akin to a scream. This noise is not appreciated by people who are within hearing distance.

The biggest benefit of Jake Brakes is that they are more reliable than engine brakes when you are going down steep hills. The faster speeds can cause engine brakes to overheat, which makes them less reliable.

You should not use Jake Brakes when you are traveling in slippery conditions, such as ice or pooling water. Unfortunately, the way the truck slows down with a Jake Brake can cause it to swerve over slippery surfaces.

Are Jake Brakes Legal?

After learning more about Jake Brakes, you may be impressed with their capabilities. However, they do come with one unfortunate side effect. Jake-Brakes are extremely noisy.

While Jake Brakes are usually legal on highways or in rural areas, they are often illegal in residential areas. The loud, whining noise Jake Brakes make is terrible to hear if you are out on the street or even just sitting at home trying to go about your own business.

If the use of Jake Brakes is prohibited in a town, there will be signage up. Furthermore, any trucking company or owner-operator should be aware of the regulations if they travel to different areas.

If you are a truck driver and aren’t sure if Jake Brakes are legal in the area you are driving, it’s better to err on the side of caution. Using Jake Brakes in a restricted area can result in a fine and even jail time.

Do Jake Brakes Damages the Engine?

As is the case with most vehicle parts, how you operate them will determine their effect on the rest of a car or truck’s parts. In the case of Jake Brakes, as long as you use them correctly and keep them maintained, they will not damage your engine.

Pre-trip checks will help ensure your engine and the rest of your vehicle are not damaged with the use of Jake Brakes. The first step is checking oil levels. Low oil levels can result in severe engine damage, which can be even worse when paired with jake brakes.

In cold weather, always warm your truck up so that everything runs smoother. As for warmer weather, ensure your truck has an adequate cooling system.

Do all semi-trucks have jake brakes?

While all semi-trucks have exhaust brakes, similar to cars, not all will have Jake Brakes. This is an add-on that trucking companies must install.

However, most reliable trucking companies will mandate that their trucks must have Jake Brakes. Even if Jake Brakes are not legal in all areas, they are an important part of a vehicle that increases the overall safety on the road.

Are engine brakes the same thing as jake brakes?

Chances are if you have driven along major trucking routes, you will have seen a sign that says “No engine braking.” You may also have seen a sign that says “No Jake Brakes.”

For all purposes, Jake Brakes are the same as engine brakes. The terminology may be different but the intention is the same.

Conclusion

Jake Brakes, also known as engine brakes, are used in most semi-trucks. While they produce a very loud noise and are thus banned within most city limits, they are an important safety tool for trucks that need to stop on very steep inclines.