Selec-Speed Burning Smell

[Cmikel]

First trip out on Jeep trails yesterday and first time in 4 low. I wanted to try out the selec speed control and it worked pretty great but I had an overwhelming burnt brake smell or something going on.
I know the system uses ABS and if the brakes get too hot the button to engage it will flash.
That did not happen but there was an intense burning smell when the system was engaged. (We did have the top and doors off).
The burning smell did not start after prolonged downhill descents. It started around a minute into turning the feature on rough but not overly complex terrain. (1-2 trail rating at max)
All temps for coolant, oil ext were fine.
Disengaging the system and using 4 low in manual mode eliminated the smell, so I'm pretty sure it was the ABS and brakes.
I did speed up on easy sections to around 10mph then let off the gas to return to the more difficult (using that term lightly) sections. I could feel the brakes kick in and auto trans shifting to lower gears slowing me down to the max 5mph limit.
Im trying to figure out if there is something wrong with my jeep or if I should only selectively use this when I want to go less than 5mph?
Is there anyone with experience using this feature that could provide some input?
Thanks, Chris

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[Kevin_D]

I've used mine a couple of times, and while you could definitely feel/hear the brakes reacting, they didn't get hot enough to smell like hot/burning brakes.

Kevin

 

[fourfa]

Bunch of "first times" in the OP, is it still pretty much brand new? Possible that the brake pads are still new and unbedded, and this trail really heated them up for the first time?

 

[Cmikel]

Bunch of "first times" in the OP, is it still pretty much brand new? Possible that the brake pads are still new and unbedded, and this trail really heated them up for the first time?

1800 miles on the OD so not sure. I sure hope all of my first times, equate to unbedded pads. It didn't seem right with what I was experiencing, so I wanted to check with my favorite group of Gladiator obsessed, more knowledgeable friends on this group.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

1800 miles on the OD so not sure. I sure hope all of my first times, equate to unbedded pads. It didn't seem right with what I was experiencing, so I wanted to check with my favorite group of Gladiator obsessed, more knowledgeable friends on this group.

Doesn't take any time at all for the brakes to be set. If you had even a little driving in town, they'd be fine.
1800 miles your brakes are worn in. These are disks, not old-school shoes that take some real time to wear in.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Mine did the same thing.......got the brakes hot coming down Blackbear Pass. Never used that pos function ever again. Got 4:1 so its not like any help is required?

I'm old skool and drive with 2 feet off road, so I'm easily smoother than the technology.

 

[Cmikel]

Mine did the same thing.......got the brakes hot coming down Blackbear Pass. Never used that pos function ever again. Got 4:1 so its not like any help is required?

I'm old skool and drive with 2 feet off road, so I'm easily smoother than the technology.

I was not doing anything like Black Bear. That descent is crazy into Telluride. (Managed black bear in the XJ but don't want to hang that far off the switch backs in the JT)
My outing was More like the really easy parts of the pass, at altitude near sea level, on some backwood roads of Arkansas is where this happened.
The limited Jeep videos of this feature make it sound like off road cruise control in 4 low is a great thing.
Speed up when you need to and it will slow you down when things get in a mess. Did I abuse this feature by going over 5mph or is something wrong with my Gladiator?

 

[Rusty PW]

You're not the first one to smell brakes when using the downhill cruise control. the first time I used it. I smelled brakes too. Think a lot has to do with the grade, speed and length of the hill.

 

[csuengr]

I'm going to drag this thread up from the dead. I used select speed yesterday on a long descent portion of a trail, just to see what happens. After about five minutes set at 5MPH I heard the ABS kick is, smelled burning brakes, and I got an error message to service the Extra Stupid Personality system. Worst of all, I got a screw in a tire, while on the trail.

 

[WILDHOBO]

1800 miles on the OD so not sure. I sure hope all of my first times, equate to unbedded pads. It didn't seem right with what I was experiencing, so I wanted to check with my favorite group of Gladiator obsessed, more knowledgeable friends on this group.

I only use it under 5mph, and very rarely. I use it more when on flat or up sections of mild trails, like offroad cruise. But I’m not a fan of all the braking, so I only use it on truly steep descents. And still I usually do it myself. It’s neeto, but not my favorite feature. I too got a brake smell when I used it on a descent on Red Cone in CO. loose rock and a steep descent. It seemed like a fun place to test it. It worked well, but I think it’s harder on the Jeep than me driving would be.

 

[Rusty PW]

I've only used it one time.

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