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Old 02-24-2015, 08:23 AM   #1
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Another dumb question

For those that have a Silverado, when on flat land do you use tow/haul? When running on flat land do you use the exhaust brake with tow/haul? My 2012 3500 came with the exhaust brake that you have to engage, on the 2008 2500 diesel that I owned it did not come that way.


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Old 02-24-2015, 08:31 AM   #2
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My 2011 2500 has the exhaust brake switch as well and I use it. On turning off the tow/haul when on flat land....yes....if I remember....which is rare! Usuallly by the time I remember to turn it off I am stopping! So I guess the proper answer is No, I don't turn it off!
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Old 02-24-2015, 08:32 AM   #3
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For those that have a Silverado, when on flat land do you use tow/haul? When running on flat land do you use the exhaust brake with tow/haul? My 2012 3500 came with the exhaust brake that you have to engage, on the 2008 2500 diesel that I owned it did not come that way.
If it is towing ANYTHING, I keep it engaged in the Tow/Haul mode, up hill, down hill, flat land.
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Old 02-24-2015, 08:41 AM   #4
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Tow / haul on if towing no matter the road conditions.
I have a 2008 and had the duramax tuned which now uses the vv turbo to act as a engine brake while towing.
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Old 02-24-2015, 09:13 AM   #5
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There are towns that post "NO EXHAUST BRAKES ALLOWED". Maybe that's why can be disengaged. Small towns will ticket if not allowed.
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Old 02-24-2015, 09:20 AM   #6
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I use the tow/haul mode when ever I have anything connected and I believe when you engage the tow switch exhaust brake is automatic.
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Old 02-24-2015, 09:21 AM   #7
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There are towns that post "NO EXHAUST BRAKES ALLOWED". Maybe that's why can be disengaged. Small towns will ticket if not allowed.
Our little diesel trucks have a relatively quiet, exhaust brake, which isn't restricted by these postings. It restricts large rigs with the very loud "Jake brake".

I keep my exhaust brake on all the time, every time I am on the road, hauling or not... saves on brakes with no ill effect. I use towhaul anytime I am towing. I have to manually select each time the key is turned off.

On my 2012 Ram CTD, towhaul is on the stick, while exhaust brake is a button near center of the dash.
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Old 02-24-2015, 09:24 AM   #8
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There are towns that post "NO EXHAUST BRAKES ALLOWED". Maybe that's why can be disengaged. Small towns will ticket if not allowed.
I think there more worried about 379 pete's with 8" straights!
Unless you have no muffler you'll likely not know brake is engaged. "By sound"
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Old 02-24-2015, 09:57 AM   #9
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I don't have a Silverado, but I do know that the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask. ;-)
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Old 02-24-2015, 10:01 AM   #10
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I don't have a Silverado, but I do know that the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask. ;-)
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Old 02-24-2015, 08:45 PM   #11
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Old 02-24-2015, 09:04 PM   #12
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Always use tow/haul when any trailer attached and engage the exhaust brake when needed.
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Old 02-24-2015, 09:07 PM   #13
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I was just thinking fuel mileage might be a little better not to run in tow/haul and with the exhaust brake off. But I guess it might cost me somewhere else more. Before I start off I have it in tow/haul and brake on, then when I get up to speed I set the cruise.


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Old 02-24-2015, 09:31 PM   #14
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I have had 3 duramax's 3500 HD's pulling a Keystone Montana, Everest and now my CC and have never used tow haul. Performance has been fine. I think using Tow Haul is more of a personal preference.
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Old 02-24-2015, 10:41 PM   #15
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T-H mode enhances the vehicles ability while towing. Enhanced is good! I have turned it off when in the mountains it downshifts on a steep grade at an uncomfortable high RPM... surprising actually. I suspect that towing below 4000# T-H doesn't matter and might cost you a litte in the MPG category.
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Old 02-25-2015, 05:36 AM   #16
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Always use tow/haul when any trailer attached and engage the exhaust brake when needed.
I do the same for tow/haul. Only use the exhaust brake on very steep downward hills as the tow/haul will hold the truck back on slight declines.
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Old 02-25-2015, 06:12 AM   #17
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Somewhere in the OM there is percentage of max tow cap that TH should be engaged, can t remember what it is....I let the truck be my guide....when on road with only slight inclines/downhill and trans goes to 6th gear with no shifting back and forth I do not engage TH.....rpms steady 1500 or so..but if trans starts shifting due to traffic or slight hills.....I engage TH and rpms around 1900.....equals out to maybe 1 mpg....so guess is a comfort thing more than economy thing....with my light 5 er / under 10k truck settles in at 1500 rpms at 56-58 mph....= 10-12 mpg..
if you want more mileage go slower...as drag is the biggest factor for as speed increases drag double/triples/and more for all who pass me.....3 times in one day
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Old 02-25-2015, 07:17 AM   #18
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For ecoboost, tow/haul adds dynamic braking when engaged. Keeps the speed within check very well when descending a hill.
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Old 02-25-2015, 08:08 AM   #19
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On a 5% grade, going down, with my tow mode AND exhaust brake, I actually have to accelerate! Now that's a warm and fuzzy feeling. If you have ever in your life experienced brake failure due to heat you hear me!! Brake systems have improved in the past 30 years. My failure was in the mountains in an early Lincoln Continental ( it was NEW at the time). My 2500 Dodge, 6.7 Cummins is my BABY! �� tow a 36 ft Silverback and am a happy camper. ��
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Old 02-25-2015, 08:56 AM   #20
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If that lil' town dislikes exhaust brake noise...they'd love my Hog with drag pipes. My Ford has tow\haul and I use it whenever I'm towing for engine braking and the re-mapping of the torque curve and shift points. Once at highway speeds, the transmission torque converter 'locks up' and tow\haul on or off doesn't matter. It saves precious fuel mileage.
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