Banks Power Ford Trucks: (Diesel ’94 - 97 7.3L Power Stroke) Speed Control- Banks Exhaust Brake '94-97 - Manual (Page 12)

Safety
Caution: Your Banks Brake is
NOT a substitute for the
hydraulic brakes on your truck.
The device will not correct or
compensate for improperly
maintained hydraulic brakes.
Also please be aware that your
Banks Brake is not designed to
be used as a parking brake or to
bring your vehicle to a complete
stop. Your Banks Brake is a
supplementary braking system
designed to help you slow down
or to assist you in maintaining a
more constant speed when
descending a grade. Remember
that this exhaust brake is first
and foremost a safety device and
it is most efficient when used to
prevent, rather than correct a
runaway vehicle condition.
The use of a Banks Brake does
not increase the load capacity of
your vehicle. Gross Combined
Weight Rating specifications should
always be adhered to. The Banks
Brake will allow you to slow your
vehicle more effectively within
your vehicle’s weight specifications.
Operation/
Driving Tips
Use your Banks Brake to assist in
slowing your vehicle while traveling
down grades. To activate the brake,
flip the switch to the “ON” position.
With the switch on, the brake will be
active anytime that your foot is not
on the accelerator pedal. Note that
cruise control will be cancelled if it is
active at the time the Banks Brake is
engaged.
When alternating between braking
activity and acceleration, it is a good
practice to allow a minimum of one
second to elapse after the brake has
been disabled or the throttle is
applied before reaching full throttle
acceleration. This allows enough time
for the brake valve to fully open and
eliminates the possibility of excess
exhaust back pressure being
introduced into the engine.
If your vehicle is equipped with an
Automatic transmission, your Banks
Brake can be used with the
transmission in overdrive or 3rd gear.
To increase the overall effectiveness
of the Banks Brake you may back
shift from overdrive to 3rd thereby
increasing engine rpm. (Brake
performance will be optimal at
2000 rpm or higher.) Back shifting to
2nd gear with the Brake activated is
not recommended due to the fact
that the torque converter is unlocked
in 2nd and could result in increased
transmission temperatures.
If braking while in 2nd or 1st gear is
required, it is recommended that the
Banks SmartLock™ trans controller
be installed to ensure that the torque
converter clutch remains locked and
that there is adequate transmission
line pressure. Use of the SmartLock™
in addition to the Banks Brake™
provides increased braking capability
while maintaining the integrity of the
vehicle’s automatic transmission.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
manual transmission you can also
down shift to maintain peak
retarding force.
Maintenance
When the engine is cold (below
100°F) the exhaust brake will activate
to reduce the amount of warm-up
time required. Once the vehicle
reaches operating temperature the
brake will open. This cold start brake
activation also serves as a
maintenance cycle, which helps
prevent soot build-up and keeps the
shaft assembly from sticking. This
process is automated and eliminates
the need for any additional
maintenance.
12 |
9 6 9 7 9 v . 5 . 0