[Fulltiming]

If the prevailing wisdom is that the use of jake brakes on the 903 can damage the engine, I would reserve their use for those situations where it is most important, ie emergencies and holding down speed on long, steep grades. Potential engine damage is not worse than risking burning out your brakes on a steep, long grade. The most important issues are: don't try to go down a hill faster than you can go up the same hill and always use a low gear. Speed is your enemy, especially on long (multi mile), downhill grades of 6+%. Use your emergency flashers, stay in the right hand or truck lane and always go slower than you think you probably can. You may annoy the folks behind you but you will still have brakes at the bottom of the mountain.