Everso advanced braking techniques

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Never be tempted to tow without brakes. Earlier in the season I towed my boat/trailer but the tow hitch didn't function correctly which prevented the brakes operating. (I didn't realise there was a fault, honest, officer.) The tow vehicle is a Disco, the road surface was damp and when braking firmly coming up to a busy main road junction, extra pedal pressure was needed to cope with the lack of trailer braking. The Disco wheels locked and the weight of the trailer just shoved the Disco along on the damp surface. A bit of cadence braking saved the day but my heart beat speeded up a bit I can tell you.

Why were you breaking firmly? That's what gears are for. Obviously you will still need some braking but most can be done with the engine - just remmber to blip the throttle on downchanges!!!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Sarah G

I think I would feel happier having a braked trailer anyway to be honest. Our Disco is a S1 and the brakes are not the best I've ever used (other car a Saab and we have a real culture shock if you jump out of one into the other. Either over braking in the Saab or having too many heart stopping moments in the Disco!!

Nothing wrong with Disco 1 brakes. They are disks all round. Either you have a problem or not a heavy enough foot. Anyway you shouldn't be using the brakes!!!

[simmons0]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Why were you breaking firmly? That's what gears are for. Obviously you will still need some braking but most can be done with the engine - just remmber to blip the throttle on downchanges!!!

Bit of heal n toe in your disco eh Cods

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by simmons0

Bit of heal n toe in your disco eh Cods

Too right!!!

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Why were you breaking firmly? That's what gears are for. Obviously you will still need some braking but most can be done with the engine - just remmber to blip the throttle on downchanges!!!

What pish you can talk, Codders. We discussed this at length a while ago. And, it's an auto so blipping the throttle isn't necessary.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by jwalker

What pish you can talk, Codders. We discussed this at length a while ago. And, it's an auto so blipping the throttle isn't necessary.

Ahh that makes engine braking more difficult but did you change down the box manually or just rely on the brakes?

Pish??? Saved me on many an occasion when towing heavy loads or driving on slippery surfaces!!!

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Ahh that makes engine braking more difficult but did you change down the box manually or just rely on the brakes?

Pish??? Saved me on many an occasion when towing heavy loads or driving on slippery surfaces!!!

Yer, right. So you find yourself going down a brae towards a busy main road with 5½tons of rig, you apply the brakes normally to find the trailer brakes inoperative. Are you suggesting you'd stick your Disco into 2nd gear and expect that wee diesel engine to stop you?

Codders, I do sometimes agree with your sentiments but you loose grip on reality occasionally.

[jwalker]

I've done it again...forgot to take Jono's advice.

[Jono]

.."Brakes to slow, gears to go"....

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Jono

.."Brakes to slow, gears to go"....

Tell that to someone coming down the Alps with a 44 ton load......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression_brakes

The advantage of using the engine to dissipate energy is this immediate ejection of energy. Hot gases are ejected from the vehicle very quickly and the gases also transfer much of their heat directly to engine parts. In addition, friction produced within the engine system also adds heat to the engine parts.

This engine heat is taken away by the engine's integrated cooling system: usually a liquid circulation system and a radiator. Disc or drum brakes have no such energy dissipation mechanisms. They must rely on air flow to remove heat and they use their mass to retain heat without producing temperatures that would deform and damage the brakes.

Placing a vehicle in a low gear causes the engine to have more leverage (mechanical advantage) on the road and the road to have less leverage on the engine. This is what allows cars to slow down using their relatively flimsy engine parts. The engine maintains a high rotational speed to dissipate a lot of power without forcing too much strain on the engine.