How to use the Retarder in the game?

[Raigavin]

So I got a transmission with a Retarder (which shows increased vehicle performance on the stat graph), but how do I actually use it?

A bit confused as there is a notification on the GPS saying that its activated, but how to use it and how will it help while driving in the game?

(It also replaced cruise control with the retarder activated message)

[Hypertext Eye]

There are three ways the retarder functions in this game.

1) When you have CC set, it will turn on if you go over the CC speed. How soon it turns on is determined by how you set "smart cruise control" in gameplay settings.

2) If you turn on "automatic retarder" in gameplay settings, it will turn on when you use the brake to help you slow down faster.

3) In key settings, you can bind "retarder increase" and "retarder decrease". When you push the increase key, the retarder will turn on and slow you down, unless you are pushing the accelerator. This will also disable CC. Each time you increase, you will slow down faster. There are 3 or 4 levels, depending on the transmission you bought. The decrease key does the opposite: each press will slow you down slower until you turn the retarder completely off. Then you can use CC again.

[C2Dan88]

You can enable the option to have it activated automatically in the game options when you breake (you'll hear a high pitch noise when braking and a icon display on the dash) or you can press the V key (or whatever key you have it assigned it in the keyboard options) to activate it manually.

[Hypertext Eye]

Originally posted by C2Dan88:

You can enable the option to have it activated automatically in the game options when you breake (you'll hear a high pitch noise when braking and a icon display on the dash) or you can press the V key (or whatever key you have it assigned it in the keyboard options) to activate it manually.

The V key by default activates differential lock, not retarder.

[pieperjohanns]

Originally posted by Raigavin:

there is a notification on the GPS saying that its activated

You get this message when you forgot to turn the retarder off. Check your key bindings.

[C2Dan88]

That is why I said "(or whatever key you have it assigned it in the keyboard options)"

[Hypertext Eye]

Originally posted by C2Dan88:

That is why I said "(or whatever key you have it assigned it in the keyboard options)"

Well if you're going to tell what key to press, at least tell the default instead of your personal key.

[Mr. Nice]

Originally posted by Hypertext Eye:

3) In key settings, you can bind "retarder increase" and "retarder decrease". When you push the increase key, the retarder will turn on and slow you down, unless you are pushing the accelerator. This will also disable CC. Each time you increase, you will slow down faster. There are 3 or 4 levels, depending on the transmission you bought.

I'll note that the retarder only actually engages in that case when off the throttle.
For most (all?) of the trucks in the game, the retarder is increased/decreased by a stalk on the right side of the steering wheel, so you can roughly tell what position it's in when you get used to a truck. Some gearboxes have up to five retarder positions btw.

Theres a symbol on the dash which lights up when the retarder is active (regardless of which of the 3 reasons). You'll spot it easy if you have automatic retarder on, as it will light up whenever you use the brake pedal.

[Outlaw Trucker]

In general I use the retarder in ETS2 as I would use my Jake here in the US as they feel the same. I keep it on manual use (other then cruise control which you can't turn it off on CC) and use it to slow my speed coming up on exits and toll booths. Usually I'll activate level one or two (the Scania 12+2 has 5 levels on it's retarder) of the retarder until I hit 80 km/hr then downshift to 6L because the retarder is more effective at slowing you at higher RPMs. I then activate level three of retarder until I hit around 65 km/hr, downshift to 5L until I hit around 50 km/hr and then activate the final level of the retarder slowing me to around 35 km/hr at which point I start applying the service brakes and backing the retarder back down to zero.
I also use it for hill descents, using the gear and retarder in combination to hold the truck at a steady speed. For instance if I'm on a 60 km road and making a descent I'll usually have the transmisssion in 5L or 5H (depending on hill grade) and increase/decrease the retarder level to what I need to hold the truck speed in check.

Is there really a need to do this in ETS2? No, not really but this is how I would use a jake brake and I prefer to play the game with more of a level of realism. I may have ocd issues with that though, lol. The reason you would use it in this mannr in real life is to save on brake life. Also if you are traversing a hilly area the service brakes will turn to mush if you only use them and then if you have to make an emergency stop you're screwed.

*edit note* If you use the retarder in this way be careful of curves and rain. If you're too quick to get on the retarder you can actually create a jack-knife.

[Hypertext Eye]

Originally posted by Negro Y Azul:

I prefer to play the game with more of a level of realism.

You need to switch to automatic transmission then, because manual is very rare in Europe.

[Outlaw Trucker]

Originally posted by Hypertext Eye:

Originally posted by Negro Y Azul:

I prefer to play the game with more of a level of realism.

You need to switch to automatic transmission then, because manual is very rare in Europe.

Hehe, yea I know. What can I say I'm a silly American stuck on my manual ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, give meh moar gears! lol.

[Raigavin]

Thanks for the great answers, I shall try to use it in the game as suggested for heavy breaking.

[Mr. Nice]

Originally posted by Negro Y Azul:

other then cruise control which you can't turn it off on CC

Not true, you can disable Smart Cruise Control, it's the top option in the smart CC tolerance drop down in gameplay options. Tolerance is how much you can overspeed the CC setting before the retarder (or engine brake if you have no retarder) starts to engage.

[Outlaw Trucker]

Originally posted by Mr. Nice:

Originally posted by Negro Y Azul:

other then cruise control which you can't turn it off on CC

Not true, you can disable Smart Cruise Control, it's the top option in the smart CC tolerance drop down in gameplay options. Tolerance is how much you can overspeed the CC setting before the retarder (or engine brake if you have no retarder) starts to engage.

Ooooh, all this time and I never thought of trying that option! Thanks for the infos +1

[Devil in me.]

Not sure i understand the system. You turn the retarder on when going down hill to help with brake fade? do we brake and turn on the retarder? then turn it off when we stop?

How do real trucks do it with another pedal? Confused when or how to use it.

Also not sure what the diff lock does, and when we would use it, any help?
How do you turn it on or off and why?

[Reese]

The Retarder is a braking device. It is used in place of, or in addition to, the regular pedal brake system of the vehicle. It typically uses fluid friction to slow the drivetrain down instead of the wheels directly. This reduces wear on the brakes of the trucks as they aren't being used as heavily or at all.

Activating the retarder is either by use of a manual lever, or automatically when pressing the brake pedal or if cruise control wants to keep you from exceeding your set speed.

Diff Lock, short for Differential Lock, allows your axle to lock both drive wheels to the same rotation speed. A differential usually allows one wheel to spin at a different speed to the other to reduce tire wear when turning the vehicle and to prevent tire squeal. You would turn it on when you lose traction on loose road material or when offroad, such as gravel or grass. It can also be helpful when going up a hill with a heavy load to keep other wheels from slipping. You would not keep it engaged when driving down the road as it can cause wear on the spider gears inside the differential and eventually cause failure.

You can enable differential lock with the V key at a slow speed or when stopped. Above like 8kmh it can not be activated, only deactivated.