Retarder use

[Scott Forman]

My new PT has a retarder, the first vehicle I have owned with one. I
noticed in reading the manual that when the retarder dash switch is on,
it is engaged each time I hit the brake pedal, not just by using the
hand lever. What's the word on keeping the retarder on all the time?
Is that bad for the transmission? Or, will using the retarder all the
time extend brake life?

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB for sale
86 PT38

[Curt Sprenger]

Leave it on all the time. These big Birds can use the assist and it
saves on brake shoes.

Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Scott Forman wrote:

> My new PT has a retarder, the first vehicle I have owned with one. I
> noticed in reading the manual that when the retarder dash switch is on,
> it is engaged each time I hit the brake pedal, not just by using the
> hand lever. What's the word on keeping the retarder on all the time?
> Is that bad for the transmission? Or, will using the retarder all the
> time extend brake life?
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB for sale
> 86 PT38
>
>

[Pete Masterson]

Indeed, the newer BBs have the retarder completely integrated into
the automatic transmission. With the "engage" switch on, the retarder
(exhaust type) comes on whenever you simply remove your foot from the
throttle pedal. The strength of the response is modulated by setting
'low', 'medium', or 'high' on an adjacent switch. Using the retarder
in this manner, I can often go many miles without ever actually
stepping on the brakes to adjust speed on small downgrades, etc.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Lockhart Texas



On May 1, 2007, at 10:23 AM, Curt Sprenger wrote:

> Leave it on all the time. These big Birds can use the assist and it
> saves on brake shoes.
>
> Curt Sprenger
> 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
> Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
>
>
> Scott Forman wrote:
>
>> My new PT has a retarder, the first vehicle I have owned with one. I
>> noticed in reading the manual that when the retarder dash switch
>> is on,
>> it is engaged each time I hit the brake pedal, not just by using the
>> hand lever. What's the word on keeping the retarder on all the time?
>> Is that bad for the transmission? Or, will using the retarder all the
>> time extend brake life?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Scott Forman
>> 82 FC35RB for sale
>> 86 PT38
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Leroy Eckert]

I leave mine on all the time also unless the streets are wet. As well I gear
down the transmission to help slow the coach. Heavy use of the retarder causes
tranny temps to rise rapidly.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL


----- Original Message -----
From: Curt Sprenger
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 10:23 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Retarder use


Leave it on all the time. These big Birds can use the assist and it
saves on brake shoes.

Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, Calif.

Scott Forman wrote:

> My new PT has a retarder, the first vehicle I have owned with one. I
> noticed in reading the manual that when the retarder dash switch is on,
> it is engaged each time I hit the brake pedal, not just by using the
> hand lever. What's the word on keeping the retarder on all the time?
> Is that bad for the transmission? Or, will using the retarder all the
> time extend brake life?
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB for sale
> 86 PT38
>
>





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