Can anyone advise just how to use the new exhaust brake on the 6.7. When towing do you just push the dash button and go or turn it on and off when needed. My dealer advised to turn it on and off, if that is the case....what a pain.

 

leave it on all the time when it is running. i shut mine off when i am idling to cooldown for a shut off. if it is constantly exercised, the shaft will not carbon up and stick from lack of use.

 

it only brakes when you let off the gas to coast...

typically I only like them on when I'm decending a large grade. that or keep your foot on the throttle a bit.

does anyone know if it cuts fuel when the brake is enabled and functioning? just curious if it's drinking diesel

 

I definitely noticed a difference if I kept the exh. brake on all the time. Engine sounds like it has alot of back-pressure, even at idle. I also noticed a small loss of m.p.g. if I leave it on. Tried that on a 650 mile trip one time. Now, I do what you're dealer says - if i see the need for the exh. brake I turn it on, otherwise I leave it off. Just have to drive with alot of "forward" vision.

 

Hard to believe there's that much difference between my 06 and the '07. On my '06, I leave the brake turned on almost all the time. The ECM does virtually all the operational control. When it's cold, the brake stays on while idling to help with warmup. As soon as you touch the throttle, the brake cuts off. When operating temp is reached, the brake turns off at idle. I haven't noted any difference in mileage, brake on or off.

Dan

 

Read your owners manual

 

If I have a load I turn on the brake and keep it in Tow/Haul mode. The new 6speed auto shifts down really well in Tow/Haul and with the exhaust brake it's just awesome.
If I'm empty and coming down some long steep grades I will turn on the exhaust brake, otherwise I leave it off.