Retarders are used primarily to slow vehicles, maintain speed on descents, and prevent uncontrolled acceleration.
A retarder is a device used on vehicles, especially heavy vehicles like trucks and buses, to supplement the primary braking system. According to the provided reference, retarders serve several key purposes:
- Slowing Vehicles: They help reduce the vehicle's speed without relying solely on the friction brakes, which can overheat and fade during prolonged use, such as on long descents.
- Maintaining Steady Speed on Hills: When traveling down a hill, a retarder can be used to maintain a consistent speed, often referred to as 'controlling downhill speed' or 'speed management'. This prevents the vehicle from accelerating excessively due to gravity.
- Preventing Uncontrolled Acceleration: Retarders help to prevent a vehicle from experiencing unintentional or uncontrolled acceleration, particularly when traveling on road surfaces with an uneven grade. This contributes significantly to vehicle stability and safety.
In essence, retarders provide an auxiliary braking force that helps manage the vehicle's speed, reducing wear and tear on the conventional service brakes and enhancing safety, especially on challenging terrain or long descents.
Here are the core functions based on the reference:
- To slow vehicles.
- To maintain a steady speed while traveling down a hill.
- To help prevent the vehicle from unintentional or uncontrolled acceleration when travelling on a road surface with an uneven grade.
