You may have heard of jake brakes in the past, but what exactly are they?
A jake brake is a device that helps to slow down a truck or other large vehicle. It uses the engine to create resistance, which slows the vehicle down.
Read on to learn more about jake brakes and how they work.
What Is a Jake Brake?
Create Resistance and Slow a Vehicle Down
Jake brakes create resistance and slow down large trucks and other vehicles. They use the engine to create resistance, which slows the car down. Jake brakes are very effective at slowing down a truck and can help save wear and tear.
Cummins Invented the Jake Brake
Clessie Cummins, an American inventor, and entrepreneur, invented the Jake brakes. Cummins was the founder of the Cummins Engine Company, one of the world’s largest producers of diesel engines.
The company created the first diesel engine for trucks in 1938. Jake brakes were introduced for commercial vehicles in 1961.
Effective in Slowing Down a Vehicle
The popularity of Jake brakes is due to their effectiveness at slowing down a vehicle while using no moving parts and creating little heat. This allows the jake brake to function well under extreme loads while providing excellent braking power.
Integral to Heavy-duty Transport Vehicles
Jake brakes are integral to heavy-duty transport vehicles, such as trucks. They generate resistance by engaging the power takeoff, which uses torque from the engine to create resistance against the driveshaft or transmission.
This slows down the vehicle and decreases its speed without overheating the brakes. Jake brakes get their name from this slowing down process, similar to how a steam locomotive’s wheels come to a “jake” stop when it stops moving forward.
Common Feature on Most Large Commercial Vehicles
Jake brakes are now a common feature on most large commercial vehicles. They create resistance and slow the vehicle down without moving parts. This makes them very reliable and helps to keep brake fade at bay.
When activated, they create resistance by engaging the power takeoff, which uses torque from the engine to develop resistance against the driveshaft or transmission. This slows down the vehicle and decreases its speed without overheating the brakes.
How Does a Jake Brake Work?
Uses the Engine to Create Resistance
The Jake brakes work by using the engine to create resistance. This resistance creates drag on the vehicle, which slows it down.
The amount of drag created depends on how much power the jake brake is putting out. Jake brakes are very effective at slowing down a truck and can help save wear and tear.
As the truck slows down, this creates more resistance and helps to slow down other vehicles behind it. Large trucks can make a significant drag, so slowing those vehicles down is beneficial to those driving behind them.
Not Suitable for Personal Vehicles
Jake brakes are very effective at stopping large vehicles such as semis and buses, but you should never use them on personal vehicles. This is because it only takes a light tap of the accelerator to engage the jake brake, and it often damages personal cars when used excessively.
Aside from this, there is no reason that people cannot use them on their vehicle (or others) if needed during heavy traffic or other circumstances where losing speed quickly may be necessary for safety purposes.
Are Jake Brakes Legal?
There are some jurisdictions in which a Jake brake is illegal. This is because they create too much noise and can disrupt the community.
Generally, a Jake brake should be kept to a minimum and only used when necessary. Excessive use can damage your vehicle and lead to fines in certain areas.
How Effective Are Jake Brakes?
Jake brakes are highly effective at slowing down large vehicles. They work by creating resistance, which slows the vehicle down. This resistance also helps to slow down other vehicles behind it as well.
Jake brakes are very popular within the trucking industry because they can help save wear on the brakes. They are also easy to install on various trucks, contributing to their growing popularity.
While the jake brake is generally safe for semis and other large trucks, they are unsuitable for personal vehicles. Personal vehicles only take a light tap of the accelerator to engage them.
What Are the Uses of Jake Breaks?
Reduce wear on the brakes
Helps control the vehicle’s speed
Handy when going down hills
Helpful when trying to avoid accidents
When Not to Use Jake Brakes
Jake brakes should not be used when towing heavy loads up steep inclines. Doing so can overwork the engine and cause it to malfunction or fail. Jake breaks are also unreliable on icy roads, as they do not work effectively in low-grip situations.
Tips for Properly Using the Jake Brake
1. Use Jake Brake in Conjunction with the Regular Brakes
Make sure that you use the jake brake with your regular brakes. Do not rely on the jake brake alone to slow the vehicle down.
2. Use Jake Brakes for a Limited Time
Do not use the jake brake for extended periods, as this can cause the engine to overheat.
3. Do Not Slow Down Too Quickly
Be aware of your surroundings when using the jake brake. Ensure you do not slow down too quickly, as this could cause an accident.
4. Use Only When Necessary
Use the jake brake sparingly, only using it when necessary. Excessive use can damage your vehicle and lead to fines in certain areas.
5. Educate Yourself on the Laws Involving Jake Brake
Ensure you know the laws before using a Jake brake in your area. Some jurisdictions have specific regulations regarding their use.
6. Consult Trucking Manual
If you are unfamiliar with using a Jake brake, consult your trucking manual or speak to someone familiar. Improper use of a Jake brake can damage your vehicle and lead to fines.
7. Do Not Use for Personal Vehicles
Jake brakes, or engine compression brakes, are a braking system that uses the engine to create resistance and slow the vehicle down. They are popular within the trucking industry, partially because they can help to save wear on the brakes.
Jake brakes are also easy to install on various trucks, contributing to their growing popularity. While the jake brake is generally safe for semis and other large trucks, they are not suitable for personal vehicles because it only takes a light tap of the accelerator to engage them.
Again, what is a jake break? Mechanics install a Jake brake on diesel engines (also Jacobs brake, compression release engine brake, compression brake, or decompression brake) as an engine braking mechanism.
Does Your Car Have a Jake Break?
Not all vehicles have a Jake brake. Most trucks and semis come equipped with them, but they are not standard on most personal cars. If you want a Jake brake installed on your car, you will need to consult a mechanic to see if it is possible. Aftermarket kits allow you to install a Jake brake on your vehicle.
Benefits of Installing a Jake Break
While the jake brake is not standard on most personal cars, having one installed has benefits, including:
1. Help Save Wear on the Brakes
They can help save wear on the brakes, which can be helpful if you drive a lot or use your car for towing.
2. Quickly Slow Down the Vehicle
Jake brakes can also be helpful when trying to avoid an accident, as they can slow the vehicle down quickly if needed.
3. Easy to Install
They are easy to install, making them a popular choice for people who want the benefits of a Jake brake without going to a mechanic.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Jake Brake on Your Car
Considering having a Jake brake installed on your car, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons and speak with a mechanic to see if it is possible.
Pros
Some of the pros of having a jake brake installed on your car include the following:
1. Prevent Wear on Brakes
They can help save wear on the brakes, which can be helpful if you drive a lot or tow heavy loads with your car.
2. Quickly Slows Down the Car
If you come across a hill, they will slow your car down much more quickly than if you were to use the brakes alone.
3. Easy to Install
They are easy to install, making them a popular choice for people who want the benefits of a Jake brake without going to a mechanic.
Cons
Some of the cons of having a jake brake installed on your car include the following:
1. Improper Use of Jake Brake Can Damage Vehicles
If you are unfamiliar with using a Jake brake, consult your car manual or speak to someone familiar with its proper use. Improper use of a Jake brake can damage your vehicle and lead to fines.
2. You Have to Educate Yourself about the Laws in Your Area
Some jurisdictions have specific laws regarding their use, so you must know the rules in your area before installing them on your car.
If you consider having a Jake brake installed on your car, remember to carefully weigh the pros and cons and consult with a mechanic or someone familiar with their installation.
Remember that improper use of a Jake brake can damage your vehicle and lead to fines. So, ensure you know how to use them properly before installing them on your car.
Jake Brake vs. Exhaust Brake
Jake Brake Uses the Compression of the Air to Create Resistance
The main difference between jake brakes and exhaust brakes is that a jake brake uses the compression of the air to create resistance and slow the vehicle down, while an exhaust brake uses the backpressure of the exhaust gases to achieve the same goal.
Exhaust Brakes Are More Popular with Long-haul Truckers
Both brakes are popular within the trucking industry, but for different reasons. Jake brakes are more popular because they are easier to install and don’t require any modifications to the exhaust system. Exhaust brakes are more popular with long-haul truckers, as they can help extend the brakes’ life.
Jake Brakes Are More Powerful
Jake brakes are also more powerful than exhaust brakes because they create resistance through air compression. This means they are more effective at slowing down a vehicle, even traveling at high speeds.
Conclusion – What Is a Jake Brake?
If you are unsure which type of brake is right for you, consult with a mechanic to see which one would be most beneficial for your needs. Remember to weigh the pros and cons of each type before deciding.
Jake brakes are not standard on most personal cars, but they can save wear and tear on the vehicle. They are easy to install, so almost anyone with basic car knowledge can install them. Remember that improperly using a Jake brake can damage your vehicle and even result in fines.
