I’ve watched a dozen youtube videos and I still cant understand how a jake brake is any different than regular engine braking

I get that the exhaust valve opens up twice per four cycle versus just once, but I still don’t understand how this changes anything.

Typical engine breaking slows down a car because the pressure of constantly pulling a vacuum puts load on the motor and slows the drivetrain down

But I don’t understand why opening the exhaust valve after pulling the vacuum slows the engine out even more?

How is that any different than just engine breaking in general?

Posted Dec 7, 2025, 12:40 PM UTC

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