Air Chamber Stroke Indication
Air chamber push rods have orange stroke indicator markers that warn
when the braking system requires adjustment or repair. The orange
stripe is painted on the air chamber push rod at the slack adjuster stroke
dimension which requires service when visible during brake application.
Air brake inspection and adjustment or repairs should be performed by a
qualified service technician in accordance with the instructions in the
service manual.
Cam Brakes - Automatic Slack Adjusters
WARNING:Do not manually adjust the automatic slack adjusters
to correct excessive push rod stroke as it may result in reduced
brake effectiveness and a vehicle crash. Excessive push rod stroke
indicates that a problem exists with the automatic adjuster, with the
installation of the adjuster, or with foundation brake components that
manual adjustment does not remedy. Seek service from a qualified
facility for excessive push rod stroke.
Standard air brakes (cam) are
equipped with automatic brake
adjusters. Automatic adjustment
occurs during brake applications.
Inspect brakes for proper
adjustment at the intervals listed in
theScheduled Maintenance
chapter.
Emergency Air Brake
WARNING:Do not continue to operate the vehicle with a failure
of one of the brake systems. Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service immediately.
All vehicles are equipped with a dual brake system. In the unlikely event
of a failure of one system, the second system functions for emergency
stopping. These systems are all controlled by the brake pedal in the
same manner as for normal stops.
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HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
When the system is operating, the brake pedal pulses and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You may also hear a noise
from the system. This is normal.
The ABS does not eliminate the dangers inherent when:
•You drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you.
•Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
•You take corners too fast.
•The road surface is poor.
EXHAUST BRAKE (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:The exhaust brake is not recommended for use on
slippery or low traction road surfaces. Under these conditions a
loss of vehicle control could occur.
Note:Installing an exhaust or auxiliary brake does not necessarily
protect the engine from exceeding maximum governed speed. The
primary brakes should be used to make sure the engine never exceeds
maximum governed speed under any conditions.
Note:Before starting the engine, make sure that the exhaust brake
switch is pushed down to the off position. Do not turn the exhaust brake
on until the engine has reached normal operating temperature.
Note:Maximum exhaust brake performance is related to the type of
transmission your vehicle is equipped with.
Note:Engine speed has a major influence of retarding performance.
When engine speed is maintained at the maximum allowable level, the
exhaust brake operates at peak performance.
Note:Manual transmissions should be downshifted to the lowest gear
possible, without exceeding the maximum RPM limit of the engine.
This maximizes the exhaust brake’s retarding effect.
Note:Exhaust brakes operate effectively with automatic transmissions,
but performance varies with engine speed and the gear selected by the
transmission.
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Exhaust Brake Operating Characteristics
When you remove your feet from both the accelerator and clutch pedals
and the exhaust brake switch is in the on position, the exhaust brake is
activated. The following conditions exist if the brake is operating properly:
•A slight change in engine sound when the exhaust brake is activated.
•A smooth braking effect. Do not expect a retarding effect similar to
sudden, hard application of the service brakes.
•The retarding force possibly felt acting against your body when the
brake is applied (depending on the grade and vehicle load). This force
is actually preventing the vehicle from going much faster.
•Engine temperature remaining in the normal operating range.
•The tachometer showing a drop in engine RPM (depending on grade
and vehicle load) during a descent.
•A decrease in road speed when the exhaust brake is applied during a
descent, except when the vehicle is carrying a heavy load or the grade
is extremely steep. In these instances, you may need to apply the
service brakes occasionally.
TRAILER BRAKES
Trailer Brake Hand Control (If Equipped)
WARNING:The hand control should never be used to apply
the brakes when the tractor and trailer are parked unattended.
Air may leak from the system and the vehicle could possibly move,
resulting in possible property damage, personal injury or death.
The hand control is located on the
right-hand side of the instrument
panel. It is used to apply the
trailer service brakes which are
independent of the truck or tractor
service brakes.
It operates a valve that provides gradual control of air pressure applied.
When the valve is only partially applied, the trailer brakes can be
overridden by pressing fully on the brake pedal.
To apply the trailer brakes using the hand control, move the lever
downward. The further the lever is pushed down, the greater the air
pressure is applied to the brakes. The lever remains in place until
manually moved.
To release the trailer brakes, move the lever up completely.
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PARKING BRAKE
Hydraulic Brakes
WARNING:Do not use the gearshift selector in place of the
parking brake. Always set the parking brake fully AND make sure
the gearshift selector is in positionRfor vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission or positionP (if equipped)orNfor vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission. Use of wheel chocks is also
recommended in hilly or off-road usage. Unexpected and possible
sudden vehicle movement may occur if these precautions are not taken.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released but the parking
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Apply the parking brake whenever the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, pull the handle up until it snaps into the locked position.
When the parking brake is out of adjustment, seek service immediately.
The parking brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster
illuminates, and remains illuminated (when the ignition is
turned on), until the parking brake is released.
Push the palm release lever (A) on
the parking brake handle (B) and
push down as far as possible to
release the brake. Driving with the
parking brake on causes the brakes
to wear out quickly and reduces
fuel economy.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake only applies
retardation to the rear wheels, the vehicle’s stopping distance increases
greatly and the handling of your vehicle is adversely affected.
Power Park (Hydraulic Brake Vehicles Only)
This feature uses a brake chamber mounted on the chassis to power a
spring-applied, hydraulically-released driveline parking brake.
P
A
B
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The Power Park Brake is controlled by the park brake dash-mounted,
yellow knob-type switch. The switch has three positions: apply (out),
neutral (central), and release (in). The switch is spring-loaded to return
to the neutral (central) position after being pushed or pulled.
There is no visual indication at the knob that the park brake is
applied or released; check the instrument cluster. If the light is
illuminated, the parking brake is applied.
Applying the Parking Brake
Pull the yellow, dash-mounted parking brake knob. The parking brake
light illuminates indicating that the parking brake has been successfully
set.
Note:If the light blinks and a warning chime sounds when the control
knob is pulled, the parking brake is not functioning properly. Seek
immediate service from your dealer. SeeParking brake warning
systemin this section.
Releasing the Parking Brake
WARNING:Hold the brake pedal down while moving the
gearshift lever from position to position. If the brake pedal is not
held down, the vehicle may move unexpectedly resulting in property
damage, personal injury or death.
Note:Read and understand the following steps and perform them
whenever you prepare to drive the vehicle.
Note:The parking brake does not disengage unless sufficient system air
pressure is available.
If your vehicle is equipped with a dash-mounted push button (Allison
3000 Series) or steering column-mounted (Allison 2200 and 2500) gear
selector:
1. Press and hold the service brake pedal while the engine is running.
2. Select the appropriate drive gear.
3. Push and hold the yellow, dash-mounted parking brake knob until the
parking brake light turns off, then release.
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission:
1. Press and hold the service brake pedal while the engine is running.
2. Press and hold the clutch pedal.
3. Select the appropriate drive gear.
4. Push and hold the yellow, dash-mounted parking brake knob until the
parking brake light turns off, then release.
P
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Parking Brake Light Illumination Due to Low Air Pressure
If at any time during vehicle operation air pressure becomes too low, the
parking brake may apply and the parking brake light turns on.
If the parking brake is applied due to low air pressure, immediate service
is required to the parking brake system.
Parking Brake Warning System
If the parking brake light blinks and a chime sounds when pulling the
yellow control knob out, this indicates the parking brake is not
functioning properly. Seek service for the parking brake immediately.
With the ignition key not in the run position:
•A chime sounds if the parking brake remains released (or in an
unknown state). The chime stops in approximately eight minutes or
until the parking brake is applied. Seek service for the parking brake
immediately.
Diesel engines:Parking brake light operation (the light only works
when the ignition key is in the run position):
•On:Parking brake applied.
•Off:Parking brake released and no faults or malfunctions.
•Blink and chime:Parking brake released (or in an unknown state)
and faults or malfunctions exist.
Releasing Spring Manually
WARNING:Do not attempt to disassemble the parking brake
chamber under any circumstances. The high spring load may
cause serious injury.
WARNING:Block the wheels to help prevent the vehicle from
moving.
WARNING:Unexpected and possibly sudden vehicle movement
may occur if these precautions are not taken.
If hydraulic pressure is released from the spring brake chamber the
power spring applies the brake and, unless hydraulic pressure can be
re-established, the spring brake must be released as follows in order to
move the vehicle.
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Loosen the jam nut (A) and un-thread the adjustment rod (B) from the
chamber to reduce tension on the cable (C). Continue to un-thread the
adjustment rod all the way and remove it from the chamber. The nut and
shaft are metric.
Air Brakes
WARNING:Do not use the gearshift selector in place of the
parking brake; unexpected and possible sudden vehicle
movement may occur if these precautions are not taken. Always set the
parking brake fully AND make sure the gearshift selector is in position
Rfor vehicles equipped with manual transmission or positionN(except
Allison 2200 transmission) orP(Allison 2200 transmission) for vehicles
with automatic transmission.
If the service brakes should fail to operate while the vehicle is in motion,
you can make an emergency stop with the parking brake. Since the
parking brake only applies stopping power to the rear wheels, the
vehicle’s stopping distance greatly increases and the handling of the
vehicle is adversely affected. Repairs should be made immediately to an
inoperative air brake system circuit.
WARNING:This control is used for parking only. Do not leave
the vehicle unattended after setting the parking brake without
placing the transmission inpositionRfor vehicles equipped with manual
transmission or positionN(except Allison 2200 transmission) orP
(Allison 2200 transmission) for vehicles with automatic transmission.
Use of wheel chocks is also recommended in hilly or off-road usage.
CA
B
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Pull the yellow parking brake knob
out to apply the parking brake.
Push the knob in to release the
parking brake.
The parking brake light illuminates and remains illuminated
(when the ignition is turned to the on position) until the
parking brake is released.
Releasing Spring Brake with Air Pressure
The air system in all vehicles with spring-actuated rear wheel parking
brakes is equipped with a tank valve located on the supply or service air
tank for connection to an outside air supply. The valve permits the
system to be recharged with air from an outside source, releasing the
spring-actuated parking brakes. The vehicle may then be towed in an
emergency.
An outside air source can be used only if the protected system is in
operating condition. If air pressure cannot be restored in the protected
air system, the spring-actuated brakes must be released manually.
Releasing Spring Manually
WARNING:Do not attempt to disassemble the parking brake
chamber under any circumstances. The high spring load may
cause serious injury if the chamber clamps are removed.
If air pressure is released from the spring brake chamber the power
spring applies the brake and, unless air pressure can be re-established,
the spring brake must be released as follows in order to move the
vehicle.
WARNING:Block the wheels to help prevent the vehicle from
moving.
WARNING:Unexpected and possibly sudden vehicle movement
may occur if these precautions are not taken.
P
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