![What is the significance of ‘no engine braking’ signs in Wisconsin? What is the significance of ‘no engine braking’ signs in Wisconsin?](https://i3.wp.com/www.wearegreenbay.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/70/2024/06/No-engine-braking-e1717690556646.png?w=1280&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
(NEXSTAR) – Drive to almost any town in Wisconsin and you’ll almost certainly see a certain number of things: a green town sign, a roundabout, and maybe a Kwik Trip or Culver’s (if you’re lucky, maybe both).
You’re also likely to find a white sign with black letters warning: “No engine braking in town, except in case of emergency.” There may be some exceptions: Maybe the sign at the edge of your city limits says “city” instead of “town,” or maybe it indicates that mufflers are required.
But what does the sign even mean? Can’t you use the brakes at all, unless it’s an emergency? Is it a warning to your vehicle not to break down? Or something completely different?
A sign that there is no engine braking in Wisconsin. (Addy Bink/Nexstar)
As you can probably guess, it’s the latter, more or less. The signs most likely do not apply to you or your motor vehicle either.
Engine braking is sometimes known as compression or exhaust braking, explains the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Regardless of the name, it is the process of downshifting and releasing the accelerator instead of using the brake pedal, according to the Universal Technical Institute.
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Larger trucks may rely on a Jacobs brake or Jake brake, a system specific to diesel engines, the UTI says.
For large trucks, compression braking can be useful as it helps decelerate and prevents the air brakes from overheating. However, the agency goes on to explain that engine braking in other cases “is typically an unavoidable result of operating a vehicle that the driver cannot avoid or completely disable.”
“Engine braking can produce excessive, undesirable noise when muffler systems do not function as designed or are inadequate,” the DOT says, adding, “any automobile or truck can produce objectionable noise levels when using engine braking. compression and are often related to equipment failure or aftermarket modifications.”
This “undesirable noise” has led many communities to “take measures to restrict noise.”
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Many, including Manitowoc and Allouez, consider the use of compression brakes, except in an emergency, to be a disorderly conduct in a motor vehicle.
Communities across the state can request “no engine braking” signs on state highways, but they do not have the authority to post any on those roads unless the DOT gives them permission.
As common as the signs are, the DOT’s 2018 notice says “it is not clear whether such signs are effective or necessary.”
“In the case of engine braking, the Department has chosen to work with communities and allow limited use of these signs on state highways under certain conditions, despite the lack of evidence that they are effective in reducing noise problems. ”.
There are no state laws regarding engine braking. Instead, it is up to each municipality to enact (and enforce) ordinances prohibiting this practice.
For more details on the application of engine braking regulations or other noise ordinances in your community, consult your local municipal code.
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