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Instruments and controls
Hand lever for retarder
Retarder
Buses with automatic transmission have the retarder inte-
grated in the gearbox and manual buses can be fitted with
an optional electromagnetic or hydraulic retarder.
The retarder is a complement to the ordinary braking sys-
tem. Correctly used, a retarder will increase the service life
of the wheel brake linings many times over.
The retarder has no braking effect when the wheels are sta-
tionary or rotating slowly. It can therefore not be used as a
parking brake or to lock the wheels.
The first stretch of travel when the brake is depressed, be-
fore the wheel brakes are applied, will activate the retarder.
See adjacent illustration.
To avoid problems on slippery roads, for example, the activa-
tion of the retarder via the brake pedal can be turned off with a
switch.
Many buses with retarder also have a lever on the dash-
board. The retarder will be engaged gradually as the lever
is pulled towards you.
Read more about braking with retarder in the chapter
”Driving”.
The retarder only affects the drive wheels and can there-
fore cause skidding in slippery conditions. Disconnect the
retarder function via the brake pedal with the switch and
do not use the hand lever on slippery roads.
Switch to interrupt retarder activation
via brake pedal
Braking
with retarder.
Braking with
both retarder and
wheel brakes.
Brake pedal
The indicator light is on
while retarder braking is
in progress.
Warning!
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