Mercedes Engine

[ernest917]

Folks I can't say enough great things about the Mercedes engine in my Berkshire.... I LOVE IT!!!

We just returned from a 4,000 mile trip - up and down extremely high mountain passes, across wide-open plains, head winds, tail winds, heavy traffic, etc. This engine performed flawlessly... And produced a consistent high MPG -( 9.5 - 14.1 ).

It climbed over passes that were 12,000' - 13,000' and never backed up traffic... Love the torque... Coming down the other side of each high pass, the engine brake totally saved my brake pads... (I'm ready to kiss the guy that invented the engine-brake on the mouth... He's my new hero)

What a great combination - FR Berkshire, Mercedes engine and Allison Transmission.... WAHOO!!!!!

I'm ready to go again!!!!!

[boowho]

Originally Posted by ernest917

Folks I can't say enough great things about the Mercedes engine in my Berkshire.... I LOVE IT!!!

We just returned from a 4,000 mile trip - up and down extremely high mountain passes, across wide-open plains, head winds, tail winds, heavy traffic, etc. This engine performed flawlessly... And produced a consistent high MPG -( 9.5 - 14.1 ).

It climbed over passes that were 12,000' - 13,000' and never backed up traffic... Love the torque... Coming down the other side of each high pass, the engine brake totally saved my brake pads... (I'm ready to kiss the guy that invented the engine-brake on the mouth... He's my new hero)

What a great combination - FR Berkshire, Mercedes engine and Allison Transmission.... WAHOO!!!!!

I'm ready to go again!!!!!

I have to agree.... The last semi-truck I drove was Mercedes powered and it was a fantastic engine. Very smoooooth!!

Interestingly, one of the last loads I hauled before I gave up my CDL, was a load of Jake brakes out of the Jacobs Vehicle Systems plant in Bloomfield, CT.

Yes, the MECCA for all these gear-head drivers that love to rattle your teeth and bust your ear drums with their damn un-muffled engine brakes!!

Boowho??

[ernest917]

Smooooth... That's the perfect word to describe its power....

[JBoyer]

I've used our Engine Brake also but am never really sure I'm doing it right - and I don't understand the difference between high and low. It seems either position brakes the same.

Ernest - which setting were you using - high or low?

I see the indicator light come on immediately when you hit the switch - does one kick in before the other?

Do they both go off momentarily if you press the gas pedal?

Always looking to learn something.

[ernest917]

J....

I used the low position probably 90% of the time on our trip.... I tried to keep my speed around 20-25mph and the low position made that easier.... I had to go to the brake less in that position.... If I saw the speed was creeping up to 30-35mph, I'd press the brake firmly for about 3 seconds until I got my speed back where I wanted it...

Did I make a lot of friends going down the the mountain grade at 20-25mph ???? Probably not, but I was more interested in saving my brakes and transmission...

Yes - when you press the brakes the engine brake light does go off....