2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup Owner Manual Diesel - Page 286

284 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Do not use the Exhaust Brake feature when driving in icy or slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause the rear wheels to slide and the vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of vehicle control, which may cause an accident possibly resulting in personal injury or death. NOTE: For optimum braking power it is recommended to use the Exhaust Brake while in Tow/Haul Mode. The purpose of the exhaust brake (engine braking) feature is to supply negative (braking) torque to the engine. Typically, the engine braking is used for, but not limited to, vehicle towing applications where vehicle braking can be achieved by the internal engine power, thereby sparing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle. Benefits of the exhaust brake are: • vehicle driving control • reduced brake fade • longer brake life • faster cab warm-up. The exhaust brake feature can also be used to reduce the engine warm up time. To use the exhaust brake as a warm-up device, the vehicle must be moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h), the exhaust brake switch must be in the ON position, and the coolant temperature must below 180°F (82°C) and ambient temperature below 60°F (16°C).