freightliner cascadia Driver Manual page 149

engaging the clutch. Following this and for the dura-
tion of the current driving cycle, Creep mode is ac-
tive.
Once the vehicle is stopped via the service brakes,
the vehicle will begin to creep again, without the ac-
celerator pedal actuation, as soon as the service
brakes are released.
To begin using Creep mode (once active) from a
parked position, shift from neutral to either drive or
reverse, release the service brakes, and briefly de-
press the accelerator pedal. The vehicle's urge to
move can then be felt.
If creep is active and no acceleration is achieved
within five seconds, then Creep mode will abort. A
display message notifies the operator when Creep
mode is about to be aborted.
IMPORTANT: When slowing down from higher
speeds in drive or reverse, remember that
Creep mode will be in effect at lower speeds.
Use the service brakes to stop the vehicle.
Clutch Abuse Protection
A vehicle equipped with a Detroit transmission does
not have a clutch pedal, but still has a clutch that is
operated automatically and can be damaged by abu-
sive driver actions. To protect the clutch, the vehicle
has a clutch abuse protection system that alerts the
driver and restricts functionality when needed. Ex-
tended periods in Creep Mode, slipping the clutch
(using the accelerator pedal to hold the vehicle on a
hill, for example), and high clutch temperatures can
activate the clutch abuse protection system. A display
message notifies the operator when the protections
are needed.
NOTICE
To hold the vehicle stationary on an uphill slope,
use the service brakes, not the accelerator pedal.
Using the accelerator pedal can overheat and
damage the clutch. To start moving, use the ac-
celerator pedal and release the brakes as the ve-
hicle begins to move.
Alert Level
1 Heavy clutch load message
Clutch Abuse Alerts and Protections
Alert
Highest Start Gear
Automated Transmissions
There are three clutch abuse protection levels. At
each, the driver is alerted and functionality is modi-
fied; see Table 15.2.
To avoid clutch overheating, follow these tips:
•
To hold the vehicle stationary on an uphill
slope, use the service brakes, not the accel-
erator pedal.
•
To start moving on an uphill slope, use the ac-
celerator pedal and release the brakes as the
vehicle begins to move.
•
When hooking up to a trailer, ensure the trailer
is high enough to back under, and use first
gear reverse.
•
Avoid starting in higher gears, and start in first
gear when a trailer is attached.
•
Ensure trailer brakes have had time to com-
pletely release prior to starting.
•
Do not use Creep mode for an extended pe-
riod. Stop or adjust the vehicle speed when
warned to deactivate Creep mode.
Engine Overspeed Alerts
To help protect the engine, the system has display
messages to notify the operator when the engine has
exceeded certain thresholds and needs to be slowed
down before significant engine damage occurs.
There are two warnings, one at about 2400 rpm and
another at 2500 rpm, indicated with messages and a
fault code.
Low Transmission Air Warning
Pneumatic controls are used to shift the transmis-
sion. If there is inadequate air pressure, a warning is
displayed and the quality of gear shifts may be de-
graded. Wait for air pressure to build before operat-
ing the vehicle.
IMPORTANT: If the low transmission air warning
indicator appears while the vehicle is in opera-
tion, safely pull the vehicle off the road, and cor-
rect the problem.
Protections
Creep Mode
1 No restriction
Clutch Function
Normal function
15.4