RAM Cummins Exhaust Brake - Auto vs Full

2014 RAM 4 x 4 2500 Cummins diesel exhaust brake. Discussing and demo of the auto vs full exhaust brake.

[@jackj5368]

Thank you, Marion. Always informative.

[@galexander9857]

Just purchase a brand new 2019 RAM 2500 with Cummins diesel. The Owners Manual states nothing about how this works. Doesn't explain Tow/Haul Mode either. Thank goodness for wonderful people like you for taking the time to put these videos together. THANK YOU!!!

[@MarionBlair]

Appreciate that, I'm jealous.

[@benc.7446]

Another great video Marion- Always informative. A few people said it already but I think you will love the auto EB in the hills. I use it all the time empty or pulling my 5th wheel. Keep the truck at whatever speed it is at when I take my foot off the accelerator. Keeps you from going back and forth or riding the throttle

[@polarbear111000]

Great explanation of the auto vs. full mode. Thanx!!!

[@qmusn99]

Another great video with lots of good info, just picked up my 2018 Ram 2500 last week. Thanks for the video Mr. Blair.

[@Broncort1]

Did you have to order it? If so, were you able to negotiate a lower price even though you ordered it?

[@qmusn99]

@@Broncort1 No, it was on the lot.

[@rodrigofabregas7756]

Thank you Marion for another great video!

[@danroggie8265]

Great video it answered my questions regarding exhaust breake

[@Leon-lp9fl]

Liked this video A lot, so well demonstrated and explained. Nice....very nice, even discovering it after 6 years, thanks.

[@mark70913]

Hi, Marion! I really enjoy your videos! Thanks for sharing!

[@MarionBlair]

Thank you!

[@simonlawson2772]

Great explanation/demo! Just bought a 2019 and didnt understand the difference. Thanks for taking the time to put together.

[@markharry2853]

I have towed my 12,000 lb fifth through the Rocky Mountains many times using the automatic exhaust brake and I love it. Going down you very seldom have to touch the brakes as the exhaust brake maintains your current speed when you release the throttle .

[@hardtruth2039]

For what it’s worth my mechanic told me that running the full exhaust break helps keep the VGT cleaner and working properly. It also saves your breaks. My 2018 Ram Cummins has had several upgrades done which eliminated the majority of the typical problems stock trucks have.

[@raymondcruz2000]

auto mode with tow haul is how the system wants to be. here in California the auto mode holds the speed and also applies when using the brakes. the auto mode is subtle without a load. we have a 14k 5th wheel and you can tell the difference between full on and auto modes with the trailer going down steep grades

[@CharlyMtz-1316]

Me gusta como explica todo paso por paso y lo demuestra con echos muy buen video Mario saludos de dinuba ca 👍🏽

[@MarionBlair]

Muchas gracias mis amigos, Dónde está Dinuba?

[@CharlyMtz-1316]

En el condado de Tulare ca

[@Biker758210]

Use the Auto mode when traveling on roads and highways and when you come up on a town or city that you have to drive through the Jake brake is used when you just touch the brake peddle to help you slow your truck down. The Full Mode is also to help you slow down BUT you don't need to touch the brake for it to activate. I have a 2018 RAM 2500 Tradesman 4x4 and pull a 10000 LB 5th Wheel and I love that I have those Jake brakes. I drove to Pigeon Forge Tenn, and on those hills the Full exhaust brake it sure did help me not having to use my Brake so much that they get hot and we all know what can happen if the brakes get to hot. Thank you for all the information you share. I like how you explain everything for us to understand. I like gages too cause I haven't had a gage lie to me once.

[@koyaan1sqatsi]

I just picked up a 2009 Ram 2500, and I found the exhaust brake w/ cruise control accomplishes something similar to auto mode. My morning commute includes Cuesta Grade, which descends 1200 ft over 2 1/4 miles. The '09 doesn't have auto mode for the EB, but when used with cruise, it will allow up to 4-5 MPH over set speed and then the EB kicks in, and it may downshift as well, depending on whether I have a head- or tail wind. I haven't played with all the conditions (e.g. tow/haul mode, nor trailer) to see how it handles them.

[@ceroefra]

Im been drive in dodge diesel for almost 10 years,and I have to said I am a complete ignorant, great information Sr

[@kenhowell5512]

Just used it pulling my travel trailer down Loveland pass on Colorado. Auto is amazing.

[@wardzimmerman5404]

I use Auto all the time when in the mountains. When you are coming down a grade, the exhaust brake toggles on and off to maintain whatever speed you were traveling when you took your foot off the accelerator. It is wonderful for that as opposed to the full brake which will really slow you down below your desired speed. You will gain a huge appreciation for it on your trip to Colorado.

[@MarionBlair]

Thanks, I'm going to give it another try when I go to CO in a couple of months

[@benc.7446]

Ward Zimmerman I agree. I use it all the time in the hills. It saves from having to go from throttle to brake all the time going down grade. Keeps the truck at whatever speed you take your foot off the throttle at.

[@seminolewind1999]

Does not work to hold back in cruise control. Will down shift like most cars do. But if you are not on cruise control and you are costing it will kick the exhaust break on when the truck picks up about two miles an hour fast from where you let off the gas peddle.

[@InLineDiesel6]

Auto mode is also great when towing heavy. The truck does an excellent job maintaining speed. I never use full mode but then again, I'm always towing heavy (around 15K).

[@bigjimflying7195]

Ya, what he said. I watched this yesterday and came back to post a comment similar to this one. Don’t feel the need now, it’s covered.

[@ki6lkp]

Another fine production Marion. You're videos are a huge benefit to Ram owners. Living in California, I felt a little bad for you trying to film this demo without even the hint of a hill! I've recently discovered a function of the cruise control that I've never experienced before. Here's the scenario: Driving at freeway speed with cruise control on, no exhaust brake, no tow mode, and empty. When descending a hill, the truck will automatically downshift to maintain speed setting. I have not experimented with this phenomenon while in tow mode, or with either exhaust mode. I do however find it to be a little annoying. Probably because I'm not used to it. Perhaps (when using cruise in our hills), I should have the exhaust brake in "auto" mode. I suppose that way it would use the exhaust brake before having to downshift. ( I hope I made sense of that whole explanation...)

[@MarionBlair]

Yes you have, thank you. I'll experiment Sunday as I'm going to Houston however the only downhill is the Lake Charles bridge, ha. I lived in Ventura for 8 years in the 80's and loved it. I mean loved it. For me it was the perfect weather, view, size etc. etc...

[@kw-vu2ng]

Great Video! What kind of display are we looking at? I would like to get one.

[@michaelanderson5634]

Thanks great video

[@skipnick]

ive just been getting into messing with the auto brake, you read my mind here. in NY we have alot of nice hills and 45mph roads. so most of the time ive been using full, and lightly riding the gas pedal to compensate. i might start using auto for these roads, but most of the time im using full brake as well. highway, traffic, its great. saves fuel and brakes. do you think you could dive into hill descent ? i have this feature and have never been able to make it work!

[@odertube]

Great video. I hear it's different if you have 'tow haiul' mode enabled. Tow haul mode will allow the exhaust brake to slow the truck right down to 10-15mph.

[@MarionBlair]

Yes, tow hard still cuts out at 1200 rpm, but it downshifts at much higher rpm so it does work really well in tow haul.

[@odertube]

Thank you sir. Planning on getting a 2014+ Ram 3500 with the 6.7L and I'm excited.

[@patriotfighter331]

This is what I have been told: "Every time you get in your truck to drive it, turn on the exhaust brake and the tow haul mode. It lets your veins in your charger actuate a lot more and will keep you from replacing a turbo. I was having issues with mine and saw this on a forum and it corrected the issues before it was too late."

[@Axthex]

Good evening Mr. Marlon thanks you for the informative videos you do. My question I have do you use the exhaust brake on daily driving while not pulling?

[@MarionBlair]

No you don't. just use it every once in a while. Most of the turbo failures are not due to sticking nozzles but the electronic actuator.

[@henrydice6871]

Does the exhaust brake help to clean out dpf? Does it create more soot in the egr? Is it good to run with the exhaust brake on all the time in terms of engine longevity? Does it negatively affect MPG?

[@MarionBlair]

No

[@drewk7557]

Auto exhaust not going to work on flat road, because it wasn't designed for that in mind. I have used it on mountain roads in conjunction with cruise control and what both can do is keep your vehicle within a speed range. For instance, not all mountain roads are descents, you may go down hill for a bit, then it levels out, then rises again, then goes back down, by using both, you can maintain what the driver believes is a safe speed in all instances, say 45 mph. So if you set your cruise control to 45, but don't want to go beyond 48 mph, then with auto exhaust on, you TAP the brake at 48 and that is where it will kick on, until such time you hit the brakes again, then it will pick whatever speed you release the brake. You just have to be mindful of the environment and safety. So when you slow down below 45 the cruise will bring your speed back up, but once you hit 48+ the auto exhaust will kick in and keep you at or below 48. However, there are limitations to both auto and full, that if your speed is greater than what the exhaust brake can handle, it will keep trying but your speed may still increase. What auto exhaust brake provides, is not having to use your brakes constantly if its not needed. It does work, though

[@871jamie]

I haul for a living and totally agree with you.

[@KRich408]

My 2012 only has Two modes On or Off. I think it's basically Auto only. Because its behavior seems to change depending on the situation. And sometimes it's not giving me what I want. The previous trucks I've driven that had Exhaust Brakes were true exhaust brakes not using the Turbo. But they were medium duty wreckers. Pete, Kenworth, sterling, and international. Since they were medium duty they all had the valve in the exhaust not a Jake Brake on the valves. The first it drove was a 95-96 UD (AKA Nissan) it had the same E-brake. It would stay on even at a full stop unless I hold the throttle just a hair or turn it off.

[@Industrialmodels2]

Does using the exhaust brake use more fuel? If I'm not hauling a trailer should I still use the EB?

[@James-ts5do]

Auto mode great for long declines, with or without trailer, to maintain constant downhill speed i.e. keeps you from picking up unwanted downhill speed. Gotta have long downhill descent in front of ya and you can just idle at constant speed going downhill, no fuel peddle nor brake peddle.

[@MarionBlair]

Yea, I'm going to try again this Oct when I go to CO. Thanks.

[@Biker758210]

@@MarionBlair In auto mode you don.t really have to always hold the brake down because the back pressure starts as soon as you tap the brake. it also help to keep brakes cool on steep grades. I pull 10K and I use auto a lot in the mountains of N.C. and Tennessee.

[@supporterofsanity]

I recently had tuning done to my transmission. My tuner programs my trans to stay in lock up way more which in turn keeps the exhaust brake on way more. Stays on down to 1000 rpm now. Running empty in tow haul mode I rarely ever have to use the brakes even on pretty steep hills. I Use full mode, and when I want to coast I just barely touch the accelerator pedal and it keeps the exhaust brake off but doesn't use fuel.

[@MarionBlair]

That is excellent. Did you do it yourself with a tuner? I'd like to look into that..

[@supporterofsanity]

Marion Blair I wish I was as talented as you... no I didn’t do it myself , through DRD Tuning.

[@MarionBlair]

You are too kind, thank you. DRD, I'm familiar, good stuff.

[@TheProchargedmopar]

I'm a noob to Diesels but I don't use my brake at all when unloaded and "hypermileing". Slows me down way too fast and doesn't allow me to coast for fuel savings. Only use it when warming up or pulling a trailer. If it is on I shut it off before turning off the key to allow the turbo to spool down to idle speed. With tune and trans mods I can't use it in tow/haul while decelerating or it slams dpwnshifts hard. I saw on Precision Transmission youtube channel he gets lots of complaints on this very issue. I use tow haul to accelerate only and then turn it off.

[@MarionBlair]

Personally, I don't think using the exhaust brake makes much difference. I know there's a theory out there that you should use it all the time to keep the turbine from sooting up but most failures I've seen are not from carbon but the actuator. The electronics.

[@ki6lkp]

Exhaust brake saved our butt! On our last trip, one of the trailer brakes developed a short which took out all of them . Descending the San Diego mountains could have been a white knuckle ride without the exhaust brake. It worked so well that I often had to add a little throttle to release it. Just last week at 32,000 miles a loud squeal appeared when using the exhaust brake. It also squealed a bit under heavy throttle pulling a hill. Add to that, an exhaust smell while stopped at traffic lights. Here is a 15 second video of the noise. This is not my video, but the noise is identical. I think this guy had a leak between the cylinder hear and manifold. I was fortunate that it was a gasket just in front to the turbo. Dealer had the truck 1 day and it was covered by warranty. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXmzkmuGi710eNE Oh, since put hose clamps on either side of the jam nuts of the drag link, and put a sticker to say "NO WELD", they welded the shit out of it anyway. Chumps...

[@MarionBlair]

Thanks David, sorry for the late reply.

[@alfonzooliviera1121]

In the 2018s like I have, even without Tow/Haul, the EB goes down to 800 RPM and continues to come on as you downshift. Just thought you may want to know. Question though - have you had any problems with your oil pan drain plug after torquing it to 35ftlbs multiple times? Thanks, love your videos

[@MarionBlair]

Thanks, I suspect they have improved on that as this has been a complaint of a lot of forum members. I would like to go down lower also. They can change it with a PCM flash but I think I'm up to date. thanks for the info.

[@austenhobbs]

@@MarionBlair they can change our trucks to use the exhaust brake at lower rpms like the 2018s?

[@rawrealitylife2959]

Super outstanding video. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@REWYRED]

I just bought a 19' and where I live there are some hills between the upper and lower parts of the city, and the "auto" seems to work well when descending these hills usually without picking a lower gear... Full exhaust I prefer in stop and go traffic.

[@MarionBlair]

yea, I'm getting ready to go to the mountains so I'll play with it a little. it's hard to get a good test on it in Louisiana. ha

[@REWYRED]

@@MarionBlair Drive safe!

[@noahsmadda8828]

Hey Marion, can you do a video on the U29 recall for the transmission solenoid pack? Or do you have any info on this.? Thanks

[@MarionBlair]

Thanks, I'll look into it.

[@chaddthompson]

Auto also works much better if you are in tow/haul mode while pulling a trailer. If you aren't in tow/haul it doesn't seem to down shift enough to keep the auto exhaust brake relevant.

[@MarionBlair]

Yeah I'll have to give that a try

[@gregbrown5224]

You may have covered my question? But when you are towing your camper do you tow in 6th gear?

[@MarionBlair]

If you can hold it in 6th without it jumping back to 5th or 4th at every little over pass or hill, yes. I usually have to pull in 5th as I can live with the transmission downshifting so much.

[@Fogleman33]

I have the 6 speed manual transmission. I use my exhaust brake on full all the time to save on the brakes. I never turn it off.

[@deerefarmer9343]

I did the same thing with my ‘13 manual. Proper driving/downshifting kept original brakes in new condition till I traded it with 85k and 75% of those miles we’re pulling farm trailers in excess of 14k. FYI: traded for a new ‘18 stick when I found out the 3 peddle man trucks were disappearing in 2019.

[@wishusknight3009]

@@deerefarmer9343 My cousin has something similar, and he didn't pull a lot of loads with his truck, but always used the engine break and the manual shift. He is still on the original breaks as well and has a tonne of miles. Way more than 85k. Last I remember seeing it, he was at 225k miles, so that gives an indication how long they can last. He is also a pretty gentle driver as well. He has remarked he gets a lot of life out of the breaks on his car as well.

[@philsalsbery9994]

I always enjoy your videos, Marion, so thank you again. I have a 2017 RAM 3500 Cummins/Aisin and I drive with auto exhaust brake on 100% of the time. It comes on as soon as I tap the brake pedal. Full exhaust brake is like direct drive as in a manual transmission, let off the gas and the vehicle slows. Auto allows for some coasting, and I feel it saves on brake wear. Have you done a video on manually shifting the auto trans, with pros and cons? I pretty much leave mine alone unless towing the 16k pound 5th wheel when I leave it in 5th. My truck has the 3.42 rear gears. Thanks again.

[@MarionBlair]

Thanks, I did quit a few on gearing and shifting etc... Here's the latest, I think. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nl60ZIFjgbCdbrc

[@hoss6048]

In full exhaust mode is it a matter of if the switch is on it (the brake)will come on when off the accelerator or tapping the brakes when in cruise control? If so I think mine may be defective. It comes on at times when I never touched the switch which boggles me.

[@MarionBlair]

Aaron, Yes, in the full mode (orange icon), the exhaust brake will come on as soon as you let off the throttle or if you are in cruise mode and your speed exceeds the set cruise control set speed (downhills). So when in the full mode, the exhaust brake may come on even though you don't touch the brake. In auto mode, the exhaust brake comes on when you tap the brake regardless of whether the cruise in on or off. That's probably clear as mud.

[@farangkenny7547]

2018 Ram 3500 as a commercial car hauler running 100k miles a year, Full Exhaust 100% of the time.

[@hooftrimmer570]

It's not clear to me whether you need to keep taking it out of either full or auto exhaust brake mode as soon as you need to use the gas pedal? I drive in mountainous up/down windy two lane highway. Or can you just leave it in whichever you choose as the hill ups and downs go by.

[@MarionBlair]

You don't need to take it out of either. Run with either auto or full all the time if you like.

[@defiantone1593]

What’s the temperatures at, when you’re running 4th gear while towing? And how much are you pulling?

[@MarionBlair]

with my payload and trailer I'm less than 7k but I don't tow in 4th unless I can't hold 5th which is rare. 4th exhaust temp is a little cooler as the engine load is less. 5th has less engine load than 6th which I'll tow in once in a while but exhaust temps reach close to 1000 in 6th at 65 mpg. About 750 deg F in 4th and 5th is about the same. This video has the temps in the various gears.

[@thiagogrippa7032]

I have a new turbo with an actuator, I have the boost but the exhaust brake stopped working, should I change some sensor? what you suggest I do, this is a 2008 dodge ram 3500, thank you.

[@MarionBlair]

I don't think that's sensor related but not sure. I don't know of any fuses that control the actuator but I'd check anyway. The exhaust brake is controlled by the actuator so apparently the PCM is not telling the slide to go all the way. It's possible whoever installed it did not calibrate it properly.

[@carlvin8693]

Marion, so in your opinion it is ok to use Full exhaust brake in just city driving and not towing

[@MarionBlair]

yes, I don't think it hurts a thing, in fact I think it will probably help keep the nozzle clean

[@BoostedVQUR]

Is the exhaust brake operative while the cruise control is engaged?

[@MarionBlair]

No sir

[@BoostedVQUR]

@@MarionBlair Copy that. Glad to hear and thank you!

[@700TwinPolaris]

is there any harm to the truck if you have the exhaust break on all the time? ive been told not to leave the exhaust break on while driving if it is not needed

[@MarionBlair]

It doesn't hurt to leave it on except on icy roads. I leave mine on. It helps to keeps the nozzle from sticking.

[@SaboSells]

There are several passes in the Sierra Nevada mountains near me in California, Sonora Pass = 26%, Ebbetts Pass = 24%, Monitor Pass = 13%, Tioga Pass = 10.4. I will Never go over them again without exhaust brakes, almost didn't make it the last time I tried because I smoked all 8 wheels (4 on my truck and 4 on my trailer) coming down.

[@MarionBlair]

Wow, that's pretty steep.

[@ronvaliant9337]

In the long run is it cheaper to replace brake pads or repair the wear on the engine?

[@MarionBlair]

Good point. I don't think there's too much wear since the engine is not loaded when exhaust braking. The one thing i worry about however is the on the engine and exhaust. Basically turn the engine into 75 psi air compressor. ha. Definitely doing a pressure test on the exhaust gasket etc...

[@ronvaliant9337]

@@MarionBlair I would still uses it but I wouldn't abuse it. Time will tell if it is reliable

[@BlitzAdventures67]

You've never been through West Virginia/Maryland have you.... Lol

[@KP-rz3gk]

What gauge are you using and how hard is it to install?

[@MarionBlair]

This is an Edge insight. It's virtually no installation as it plugs into the ODBCII connector under the steering wheel. It's not a controller, it just monitors so it doesn't void warranty. There's an app call Torque (android, not sure if apple has it) that you can download for about $10 and purchase a Bluetooth sender that does about the same thing. This monitor is old and has a very poor displace in bright light but it does show all the things the PCM is monitoring.

[@robertthibodeaux4435]

Marion Blair Will the Edge insight show oil pressure and coolant temp? Thx!

[@branndonscarbrough7246]

So leave full exhaust break on at all times even when not towing confused with comments?

[@MarionBlair]

Not sure what I said but it's not necessary to leave the exhaust brake on all the time. Some do. I would use it maybe once every outing just to move the nozzle to the 95% position but it just about goes there anyway.

[@mark.danderson3006]

Good info and explanation, just seemed a little long...

[@MarionBlair]

Thanks I'm working on that

[@goducgo]

What gauge is that and where does it get it feed.

[@MarionBlair]

It's on the EVIC panel, hit your left/ right arrows to get to the exhaust brake. Or you can put it on the panel as a custom gauge. That's what I did.

[@dwisky20]

I haul cars. 1st stage comes on when u hit the brake 2nd stage come on as soon as you get off the gas.

[@ericbenjamin6504]

The Ram’s exhaust definitely sounds better.

[@luiscarlosramirez7166]

Thanks you sr for your videos, i think a buy a 18 bighorn ram 2500 6.7 3.7ratio srw and a 14gn trailer. To do hotshot under the 26k limit. I don't have a cdl, maybe for the future. My question is: if a take my cdl to handel more weight; how much weight can town the 2500? Or what you recommend me in this situation? Again thanks for the videos very helpful.

[@MarionBlair]

yes, You can make some money as hot shot in louisiana but you are rolling a lot. Unfortunately, Ram doesn't offer the 3.7 ratio in a 2500 unless you get a gas model. All diesels are 3.42.

[@RalphBucci]

My 2018 2500 is rated at 17,250 lbs.

[@Stalker-lh5nk]

Was just watching the video because I was bored..wasn't paying too much attention, and then realized the highway was a little bit too familiar

[@patrickpayton8814]

Auto also tends to only engage when the brakes are applied, full mode tends to engage with throttle releases. I've never got auto mode to come on any other way. I keep mine on full mode at all times, nice to save brakes.

[@MarionBlair]

Thanks Patrick, that's the way mine is also.