Air Brakes; System Components - Fleetwood Expedition Owner's Manual

On The Road
will immediately preselect a lower gear. The gear
preselected is usually second gear, however, your
vehicle may have been programmed for either
third or fourth. The transmission then starts to
downshift through the gears to reach the prese-
lect gear. Downshifting occurs at a higher speed
than is usual when the compression brake is
turned on. This allows the compression brake to
provide the maximum retarding power.
Operation on Wet or Icy Roads
It is recommended that on wet and slippery or
icy roads that the compression brake not be left
in the automatic mode. The ON/OFF switch
should be in the OFF position.
Operation of the compression brake is recom-
mended only when you have good traction with
the road surface. Operation on wet roads should
be undertaken with extreme care and at the dri-
ver's discretion.
.11
NOTE
1
If your transmission does not operate as described,
then it may need to be programmed. Contact your
local dealer for details.
AIR BRAKES
Your motor home is equipped with air brakes.
Air brakes are more sensitive than hydraulic
brakes. Practice stopping in a safe, unobstructed
area until you get the feel of the brake pedal.
The green needle on the air pressure gauge indi-
cates front brake system air pressure. The red
needle indicates rear brake system air pressure.
Please note that the vehicle will not move until
air pressure is sufficient to release the brake
safety springs. A dash indicator will light and a
buzzer will sound until the proper operating
pressure is reached.
05-16
System Components
Air Compressor
The air compressor pumps air into the air storage
tanks. It is gear driven by the motor home engine.
Air Tanks
These tanks hold compressed air for the brake
system. They will hold enough air to allow the
brakes to be used several times even if the com-
pressor stops working. Entrapped liquid is
drained automatically from the air tanks.
Consult the Chassis Operator's/Owner's
Guide/Manual for additional information.
Air Dryer
Compressed air usually has some water and
compressor oil in it. This compressed air is
cycled through a dryer to remove air system
contaminants. Consult the Chassis Operator's/
Owner's Guide/Manual for additional
information .
The Brake Pedal
The harder you push down on the pedal, the
more air pressure is applied to the brakes. When
you let up on the pedal, some of the brake pres-
sure is released. You will hear the air escape
when you let up on the pedal.
As this air is released, the compressor must
build the pressure back up. Pressing and releas-
ing the pedal repeatedly can let air out of the
system faster than the compressor can restore it.
If the pressure gets too low and the service
brakes will not function properly, the spring
brakes will be applied automatically.
When you push down on the pedal, you will feel
both a spring pressure and the air pressure back
against your foot. With practice, you will know
how to judge the force necessary to stop your
motor home.
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