Safety, Operation/ driving tips, Maintenance – Banks Power Dodge Trucks: (Diesel ’98 - 02 5.9L Cummins ISB) Speed Control- Banks Exhaust Brake User Manual
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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 the
accelerator pedal is not
depressed.
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 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 125°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.
If it becomes necessary to
remove the CBC from the
vehicle, a by-pass plug has
been provided to install in
its place. The CBC should
only be removed when the
ignition switch is in the
“oFF” position.