Truck Retarder
Brake efficiently and safely.
With retarders that were specially developed for commercial vehicles, up to 90 percent of all braking operations by heavy trucks can be performed completely wear-free. This is a significant safety advantage that pays off for you on the road in several ways. Our retarders relieve the service brakes and at the same time lower the costs for spare parts and maintenance. In addition, your transport capabilities increase thanks to higher average speeds.
Your benefits at a glance
As a long-standing and close partner of vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) and transport companies, we know where the resources for greater efficiency lie: in reducing complexity, service, and material costs.
Our retarders meet these requirements in an exemplary manner. That is why our development partners and customers, as well as their drivers, can rely not only on the reliability of our products but also on their durability and ease of service.
Greater safety throughout the entire speed range, ensured by high retarder braking power and cold service brakes
Using the v-constant function, the retarder maintains a constant driving speed on downhill slopes
Considerably longer service brake life, and therefore fewer visits to the repair shop and lower maintenance costs
Driventic retarders are light, so you can make optimal use of your load limits
Higher transport capabilities thanks to a higher and more uniform average speed
More uniform speeds and a proactive driving style save fuel
Up to 80 % lower brake dust emissions
What is a retarder?
A retarder is a wear-free endurance brake that provides enormous safety reserves exactly where they are needed – on challenging downhill stretches, for adaptive braking on highways, and in urban stop-and-go traffic. Retarders, which can perform up to 90% of all braking actions, reduce the stress on service brakes significantly – offering a clear safety advantage plus cost savings.
Structure and functioning
In a hydrodynamic retarder, two bladed wheels are positioned facing one another. The rotor is connected with the vehicle drive shaft via the retarder input shaft, while the stator is fixed to the retarder housing. In braking mode, oil is circulated between the bladed wheels. The oil is accelerated by the rotor and then decelerated by the stator. This also slows down the rotor, slowing down the vehicle as a result. The resulting braking heat is dissipated quickly and effectively – without any negative impacts on surrounding components – via the vehicle cooling system.
Driventic retarders have a compact design and are mounted via a gearwheel to the vehicle transmission, making them part of the drivetrain. Thanks to the gear ratio, the rotational speed is increased relative to the drive shaft speed, so that even at low speed they achieve high braking efficiency. The braking torque of the retarder depends on the retarder speed and the oil fill level. In all retarders, the oil supply is self-contained and independent of the transmission oil system.
The operating principle at a glance
Hydrodynamics makes wear-free braking possible while driving.
The magnitude of the braking torque depends on the fill level and the speed.
The retarder is perfectly integrated into the vehicle brake management system.
The braking energy is converted into heat and dissipated via the vehicle cooling system.
Braking systems compared: from the brake pedal to the truck retarder
Every heavy vehicle needs an endurance braking concept in addition to the standard brakes. Besides the retarder, the most common systems are the conventional friction braking system and the engine brake. Each of them creates resistance to slow the vehicle, but they work in very different ways.
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The Driventic retarder portfolio: the right solution for every vehicle
Together with vehicle manufacturers, we develop tailor-made retarder solutions. Using an oil supply that is independent of the transmission fluid, the oil in Driventic oil retarders can be used up to the maximum permissible operating temperatures. The braking energy is transferred via the heat exchanger to the vehicle's cooling circuit, where it is effectively dissipated. For every vehicle, we offer the right solution.
Retarder VR 115DT
The Retarder VR 115DT is a step-up retarder with a high braking torque. It has a self sufficient oil balance and is integrated into the braking management of the vehicle. It’s an all-in-one solution with the new Mechatronic Retarder Control Unit (MRCU). The valve technology and damping plate, the pressure sensor and the electronic control unit (ECU) are all housed in a compact unit connected directly to the retarder. In combination with the service brake, it ensures optimal braking performance. At the same time, the retarder increases ride comfort with its v-constant function, maintaining constant “downhill cruise control” without activation of the service brake.
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Retarder VR 115CT
The Retarder VR 115CT is a step-up retarder with a high braking torque. It has a self-suffi cient oil balance and is integrated into the braking management of the vehicle. In combination with the service brake, it ensures optimal braking performance. At the same time, the retarder increases ride comfort with its v-constant function, maintaining constant “downhill cruise control” without activation of the service brake.
Retarder VR 115HV
The Retarder VR 115HV is a powerful step-up retarder with its own transmission-independent oil supply. It is used in Mercedes-Benz commercial trucks Actros and Axor. It is integrated into the vehicle management system via the VERA retarder control and offers, among other things, the functions of driving speed limitation (limiter) and cruise control.
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Retarder VR 3250
The Retarder VR 3250 is a powerful and energy effi cient step-up retarder with its own oil supply. It is used in the Volvo FH and FM trucks series and buses with Volvo transmissions. In combination with the Renault Optidriver transmission, the Retarder VR 3250 comes in Renault Trucks in the T-Range and C & K-Range. In addition, the VR 3250 is also available in UD Quon & Quester Trucks in combination with the Ascot transmission.
MRCU: Mechatronic Retarder Control Unit
Improve your retarder with the new Mechatronic Retarder Control Unit (MRCU). The design of the MRCU is convincing thanks to its great robustness. It easily withstands environmental influences in the drivetrain and guarantees high availability at all times: for simpler handling, greater functionality, increased robustness, higher cyber security, and improved efficiency.
Lists of approved oils and lubricants
To match our oil retarders, we provide you with the current lists of approved oils and lubricants.
Approved oils
Our Service Portfolio
Service for Commercial Vehicles:
Worldwide, Right on Site
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Whether maintenance, repair, system updates, or spare parts supply – Driventic offers tailor-made service concepts for commercial vehicles. By using tested original parts, you benefit from maximum safety, longer service life, and greater value retention. Our digitalization solutions make operating commercial vehicles even more efficient and sustainable. How does it work? You can learn all about it from our globally active experts – gladly in person, directly in your workshops.
Mobility beyond today.
Driving the mobility transition
Driventic specializes in modern drive technologies for trucks, buses, and off-highway applications. With our integrated systems and digital services, we are completely redefining efficiency and sustainability for commercial vehicles.
Download the Driventic image brochure
Products for trucks
Additional products for the mobility of the future
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VEDS
The future of mobility is electric — and Driventic is actively shaping it. With the VEDS, we offer customized, highly efficient drive solutions for trucks and buses that reduce CO₂ emissions and protect the environment.
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DIWA NXT Automatic Transmission
The outstanding feature of DIWA NXT is its optimized efficiency: it has a second overdrive, a separate retarder, and optionally a central recuperation unit (CRU). Using 48V technology, it keeps your fuel consumption as low as possible.
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DIWA Automatic Transmission
Starting, shifting, braking, shifting again — bus transmissions face special demands in regular service operations. As a bus manufacturer or fleet operator, you can rely on Driventic’s globally successful DIWA automatic transmissions.
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Air Compressors
Driventic’s air compressors feature two-stage compression with intercooling. Compared to single-stage compressors, this design enables significantly higher performance during delivery operation while substantially reducing energy consumption.
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Hydrodamp vibration damper
Whether tractors, construction machines, buses, or trucks — the Hydrodamp vibration damper series efficiently protects the drivetrain from overloads and sustainably extends the service life of individual components by reducing vibrations.
VEDS
The future of mobility is electric — and Driventic is actively shaping it. With the VEDS, we offer customized, highly efficient drive solutions for trucks and buses that reduce CO₂ emissions and protect the environment.
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Retarder
With retarders specially developed for commercial vehicles by Driventic, up to 90 percent of all braking operations in heavy trucks can be performed completely wear-free. Our retarders protect the service brakes while simultaneously reducing the costs for spare parts and maintenance.
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Turbo Retarder Clutch VIAB
With the wear-free integrated starting and braking system VIAB, even heavy trucks can start powerfully, maneuver with millimeter precision, and brake safely — all completely without wear.
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TurboCompound
Driventic offers an innovative, emission-reducing transmission solution with an efficient turbo clutch - specially developed for highly efficient TurboCompound systems with low-loss torque transmission.
Air Compressors
Driventic’s air compressors feature two-stage compression with intercooling. Compared to single-stage air compressors, this design enables significantly higher performance during operation while substantially reducing energy consumption.
Hydrodamp vibration damper
Whether tractors, construction machinery, buses, or trucks — the Hydrodamp vibration damper series efficiently protects the drivetrain from overloads and sustainably extends the service life of individual components by reducing vibrations.