ELI5, how do semi trucks exhaust break? I know it’s to do with the fact that they are diesels, but does that mean a VW Jetta could theoretically do the same?
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The exhaust valve opens at the top of the compression stroke. All the energy that went into compressing the air is lost. Normally that compressed air would help force the piston down on the power stroke. Taking this spring energy away slows down the engine.
Edit: two types, the one I mentioned is called a Jake Brake. The other type blocks off the exhaust flow as one of the other commenters mentioned.
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