While reading through some information on the different types of brakes that can be used in a variety of vehicle sizes and types, I came across something called a Jake Brake. Not long after I skimmed over this term, I really wanted to know what it was. So, I did some more reading online to find out what a Jake Brake is, how it is used, and everything in between.
What is a Jake Brake? A Jake Brake is a specific type of engine brake that is used within large commercial grade vehicles, such as semi trucks. It serves the same purpose and completes the same major functions of a regular engine brake, only the name is brand specific.
If you have ever seen a semi truck driving on the freeway anywhere near you, it is very likely that you also heard the noises that it made when it slowed down or came to a stop. The culprit of these screeching sounds was the braking system inside of the vehicle. Instead of the normal mechanical braking system that you have in your car, the engine brake is specifically built for heavy duty automobiles.
When it comes to engine brakes, the Jake Brake is a very well known and trusted brand of the product. If you are interested in learning more about this concept, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Jake Brakes.
What Is a Jake Brake?
If you have ever looked into braking systems at all, you might have heard of the name Jake Brake at one point or another. This particular brake, however, is not exactly what you might be thinking it is.
Instead of a regular braking system that can be found in a compact car, this is a specially designed product that is made for a specific size range and class of automobile.
In this section, we will be covering all bases when it comes tot what exactly a Jake Brake is. Continue reading through this section to find a detailed list of characteristics and a brief explanation on the topic before we dive deeper into the subject.
Jake Brake:
- A type of engine brake
- Designed for large commercial vehicles
- Equipped with advanced safety and convenience features
- Advertised as an improved version of an engine brake
The Jake Brake is a type of engine brake, which is very different from the concept of the mechanical or hydraulic braking system that you might be used to.
It is designed especially for large commercial vehicles, very similar to semi-trucks. There are so many different types of engine brakes that are available on the market, with the Jake Brake being one of the most popular brands of the product.
The Jake Brake is equipped with advanced safety and convenience features, which makes it stand out against the competition. In addition, it is advertised by the company as an improved version of the average engine brake.
If this has sparked your interest, then you will be excited to pick up on all of the detailed information about the special features of the Jake Brake in the next section.
Jake Brake: Special Features
After reading through the general description of what the Jake Brake actually is, you might be wondering what is so special about this particular product. As previously mentioned, the Jake Brake is only one product in the broad category of engine brakes.
So, what makes a Jake Brake different from any old engine brake that you can find on the market? In this section, we will be answering all of these questions, starting with the brief outlined list down below.
Special Features Of The Jake Brake:
- Increased braking power for all engine types
- Smooth transitions between startup and slow down
- Thermal management within engine
- Improved fuel economy statistics
- Higher overall performance
- Operated with a single lever pull
The Jake Brake is a special kind of engine brake that is advertised to be a new and improved version of the original concept. Some of the special features of this product, as listed above, include increased braking power as well as smooth transitions between start up and slow down times.
This is increasingly convenient for the driver, while also offering the maximum amount of power for a vehicle that is up to maximum capacity. There is thermal management within the engine, improved fuel economy statistics, and just higher performance overall.
It is the mission of the Jake Brake to exceed the standards that are expected for a normal engine brake. While the engine brake has the main features in common with the Jake Brake, this specific brand seeks to improve on the quality of the same product.
On top of all of that, the Jake Brake can be operated with a single lever pull. This feature is the epitome of convenience throughout engine braking systems, and allows the driver to focus on navigating their vehicle instead of worrying about stopping the car.
All About Engine Brakes
When it comes to the discussion of the Jake Brake, which is an extension of the original product of the engine brake, it is important to understand what this actually means.
In order to elaborate on the main question of this article which highlights the characteristics of the Jake Brake, in particular, it is important to first understand what an engine brake actually is.
In this section, we will be breaking down the definition of what an engine brake is and how it is used. Take a look at the list below for a general outline on the subject, and keep reading for a more detailed explanation.
Engine Brakes:
- Found in large commercial vehicles
- Used for stopping the vehicle through the engine’s power instead of through normal braking process
- Utilize a system of releasing air and intaking power to apply braking pressure to the wheels
- Apply a lot of pressure without much work on the driver’s end
Engine brakes, as previously mentioned, are found in large commercial vehicles and are installed as the braking system, which will give the driver control of when they would like to stop the vehicle.
Aside from the basics of this product, these types of brakes utilize a system of releasing pressurized air while intaking power from the actual engine of the vehicle.
The gradual draw of power from the engine will cause the wheels of the truck to slow down until they come to a complete stop, just like any normal braking system.
Engine brakes allow the driver to put a lot of pressure on an extremely heavy vehicle, gaining control over all of its wheels, without much work on their end at all.
With that being said, there are actually a lot of advantages that come with using engine brakes in these types of vehicles over the regular systems that are used in a more compacted car.
Engine Brake Advantages:
- Prevent brake overheating
- Convenience (slows vehicle without much effort from the driver)
- Releases compressed air through the system automatically (lots o pressure)
- Draws power from the actual engine of the vehicle
- Continues to subtract power and force until wheels stop moving
As you can see, the Jake Brake is a specific brand of engine brakes that offers new and improved products to help drivers of commercial vehicles to keep control over the stopping functions of their automobiles.
While the Jake Brake is very similar in function to the average engine brake, the other products pale in comparison to the advanced features that are offered.
