Is engine braking bad?

[Phrank]

The duck button

Once you see it, it cannot be unseen.

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[Ratbert]

Is there a way to swap in a Rubicon set of locker switches? But maybe that's not an issue since you don't seem to have used up your four aux switches yet.

 

[Jeep Junkie]

Is there a way to swap in a Rubicon set of locker switches? But maybe that's not an issue since you don't seem to have used up your four aux switches yet.

Fine, I can live with it. Before switching anything else, I need to switch to Rubicon transfer case

 

[Jeep Junkie]

I think I have slightly more Flex than the equally modified Rubicon, cuz rubicon's electronic disconnect does not allow the maximum Flex, my disconnect is the good old school manual

 

[rickinAZ]

Premature wear on brakes is much cheaper than the same on engines/transmissions.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Engine braking doesn’t hurt the engine...

In other words: engine braking is not engine breaking...

 

[AcesandEights]

Muhammad, that’s a good question, considering the distance. I would probably use a combination of engine braking and pumping the brakes with the manual in neutral. I have an auto trans now, but in the past I’ve had manual transmissions in various vehicles.

Do you mean in neutral while going downhill?

 

[Ratbert]

Do you mean in neutral while going downhill?

That's what he said, but I hope not. That sounds sketchy AF.

 

[Wabujitsu]

Do you mean in neutral while going downhill?

Yeah, I suppose that is sketchy. My apologies. My previous off-road, old school 4x4’s had slipping clutches, and if the grade was mild enough, I would pop it in neutral and pump the brakes to control speed.

 

[jeepoch]

Please don't use it on extreme descents (e.g. something like Red Cone). Your brakes will overheat and it'll end "badly".

I find it incredibly noisy and almost never use it.

Respectively disagree. Modulation of the braking system by the ABS controller will be performed much more efficiently (and effectively) than my foot can. I nonetheless can override all ABS action by pressing down on the brake pedal, either as easy or as hard as necessary. Just enabling the Hill Descent Control (HDC) system does NOT disable the brake pedal. Manual brake override is always possible and engages all braking action independent of the HDC.

Just the knowledge that your vehicle's velocity is both actively monitored and managed in the background while adding your own human control skills, is very reassuring. If any brake related issue arises, you can still very effectively add your Emergency Brake into the mix while within the HDC slow speed range. Once stopped, you can hold and maintain position for as long as required to allow the caliper brake pads to cool. Recall, as long as you are motionless, i.e. no friction, brake pads will cool whether resting on the rotors or not.

Trying to perform a very difficult descent without any assistance is totally and completely up to you. Personally, I don't mind taking outside advice from a spotter, an expert or even a computer. In the end I have ultimate overall authority and responsibility for how I engage and use any system on my rig.

Clearly, I would never advocate for just pressing the button and blindly staying hands (or feet) free during any situation. I would always advocate to remain as safe as absolutely possible with your skill, any assistive automation, expert feedback (or potentially any or all of the above). Your brain is the authoritative source for all decision making. Use all your tools wisely, judiciously and as always most effectively.

I have, and will continue to use HDC on Red Cone as well as all other steep descents I encounter while wheeling anywhere. I use it regularly while Jeeping here in the mountains of my home state of Colorado. I really appreciate that this is a tool in my JL toolbox.

My advice would be to learn how to use this HDC functionality, then practice on small to moderate terrain before using it on any severe stuff. You'll soon discover how easy and effective it really is. For me, I enjoy just how capable these JL's are at doing what they are truly designed for; taking you places on this planet that no other mass produced (and great looking) vehicle can go. It certainly does do this quite well. Especially when you let it help you during your most challenging off-road adventures.

Happy Trails,
Jay

[Edit]
P.S. I also use AutoStick (manual shifting) almost exclusively when in 4LO. Regardless, I really try to never ride my brakes when going downhill. This ZF8-based Transmission is more than capable for using engine braking as often as necessary.

I've put nearly 100K miles on my lifted on 35's 2019 Sport so far, and going strong. I wheel this thing nearly every other weekend. I don't go out to hurt it by exclusively rock crawling but I don't shy away from doing some difficult stuff either. Without lockers I am hesitant at doing the really extreme knarly crap, but anything in the 6 or 7 range, I tend to run pretty regularly.

Don't be afraid to use your tranny (either manual or auto) to engine brake whenever necessary. As with anything, use both skill and care no matter the situation, including turning around and tackling a really uncomfortable obstacle after more study or better conditions. Or not at all.

Recall, the natural side-effect of motion is called an accident. It's hard to have one if you're not moving. And really greatly reduced if you don't put yourself into a position to have one. But as with everything in life, the objective is to make compromises on safely sitting on your butt doing nothing, or putting yourself in challenging situations. Only you can make those risk / benefit analysis decisions. BUT, that little bird on your shoulder is smarter than you think.

 

[Ratbert]

Respectively disagree. Modulation of the braking system by the ABS controller will be performed much more efficiently (and effectively) than my foot can. I nonetheless can override all ABS action by pressing down on the brake pedal, either as easy or as hard as necessary. Just enabling the Hill Descent Control (HDC) system does NOT disable the brake pedal. Manual brake override is always possible and engages all braking action independent of the HDC.

Just the knowledge that your vehicle's velocity is both actively monitored and managed in the background while adding your own human control skills, is very reassuring. If any brake related issue arises, you can still very effectively add your Emergency Brake into the mix while within the HDC slow speed range. Once stopped, you can hold and maintain position for as long as required to allow the caliper brake pads to cool. Recall, as long as you are motionless, i.e. no friction, brake pads will cool whether resting on the rotors or not.

Trying to perform a very difficult descent without any assistance is totally and completely up to you. Personally, I don't mind taking outside advice from a spotter, an expert or even a computer. In the end I have ultimate overall authority and responsibility for how I engage and use any system on my rig.

Clearly, I would never advocate for just pressing the button and blindly staying hands (or feet) free during any situation. I would always advocate to remain as safe as absolutely possible with your skill, any assistive automation, expert feedback (or potentially any or all of the above). Your brain is the authoritative source for all decision making. Use all your tools wisely, judiciously and as always most effectively.

I have, and will continue to use HDC on Red Cone as well as all other steep descents I encounter while wheeling anywhere. I use it regularly while Jeeping here in the mountains of my home state of Colorado. I really appreciate that this is a tool in my JL toolbox.

My advice would be to learn how to use this HDC functionality, then practice on small to moderate terrain before using it on any severe stuff. You'll soon discover how easy and effective it really is. For me, I enjoy just how capable these JL's are at doing what they are truly designed for; taking you places on this planet that no other mass produced (and great looking) vehicle can go. It certainly does do this quite well. Especially when you let it help you during your most challenging off-road adventures.

Happy Trails,
Jay

[Edit]
P.S. I also use AutoStick (manual shifting) almost exclusively when in 4LO. Regardless, I really try to never ride my brakes when going downhill. This ZF8-based Transmission is more than capable for using engine braking as often as necessary.

I've put nearly 100K miles on my lifted on 35's 2019 Sport so far, and going strong. I wheel this thing nearly every other weekend. I don't go out to hurt it by exclusively rock crawling but I don't shy away from doing some difficult stuff either. Without lockers I am hesitant at doing the really extreme knarly crap, but anything in the 6 or 7 range, I tend to run pretty regularly.

Don't be afraid to use your tranny (either manual or auto) to engine brake whenever necessary. As with anything, use both skill and care no matter the situation, including turning around and tackling a really uncomfortable obstacle after more study or better conditions. Or not at all.

Recall, the natural side-effect of motion is called an accident. It's hard to have one if you're not moving. And really greatly reduced if you don't put yourself into a position to have one. But as with everything in life, the objective is to make compromises on safely sitting on your butt doing nothing, or putting yourself in challenging situations. Only you can make those risk / benefit analysis decisions. BUT, that little bird on your shoulder is smarter than you think.

When descending Red Cone in 4lo 1st with duck mode the brakes screech just about non-stop.

When descending Red Cone in 4lo 1st w/o duck mode you barely touch the brakes at all. The brakes stay nice and cool.

Note this is with a heavy AF EcoDiesel on 4.63s and 37s. Your combo might be different enough to experience it differently. I have been there with Sports that had their brakes fail due to insufficient gearing.

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