Retarders - Peterbilt 348 2017 Operator's Manual

Retarders

Various retarders are available which
function against the engine, driveline,
or transmission. These are devices
that use your engine's power to slow
down your vehicle. They save wear
and tear on your service brakes and
can be a safety feature, too, because
they can keep your brakes from
overheating.
Ideally, you should always slow your
vehicle with your retarder (where
permitted by law) and use your service
brakes only for stopping completely.
Operating this way will greatly prolong
the life of your brakes.
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WARNING!
Do not use any of the vehicle's re-
tarders in any situation that requires
an immediate stop and/or in situa-
tions of poor traction (such as wet,
icy or snow covered roads). Trying
to use the retarder instead of the ser-
vice brakes may cause a loss of ve-
hicle control which may result in an
accident involving death or personal
injury.
WARNING!
The service brakes must be used in
an emergency. The retarder alone
might not stop you fast enough to
prevent an accident. Failure to com-
ply may result in death, personal in-
jury, equipment or property damage.
The retarder is NOT intended as the
primary brake for the vehicle, nor is
it an emergency brake. The retarder
only helps the service brakes by using
Y53-6060-1C1
OPERATING THE BRAKE SYSTEM
pressure to slow the drivetrain. Use
the service brakes for quick stops.
Do not use the retarder when operating
on road surfaces with poor traction
(such as wet, icy, or snow covered
roads or gravel). Retarders can
cause the wheels to skid on a slippery
surface.
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