NOTHING comes natural, and NOTHING happens that you don't think about. You work for every one of those shifts, you just don't realize it.

 

I've driven 9's, 10's, Super 10's, 13's and Autoshifts... The only way that I would want to drive an autoshift would be if I was always in the flatlands.

If you crest a hill on a road you are not familiar with....and don't bump the autoshift down low enough and quick enough....and start gaining speed, its already too late unless you can brake fast enough to get the road speed and rpm down low enough to downshift it. Take I-40 for instance going east through Ashville, NC on a dark night with a little fog....and then you pass the mandatory pull off for brake checks and start down "Black Mountain" and you weigh about 79K...... If you survive to reach the bottom, you will have to change your underwear, pants, socks and shoes.... Its bad enough to see trucks with sticks smoking their brakes going down that mountain...and others.

Me, I'll stick to a manual transmission. Using the "clutch"? Not much. Normally just for starting out, stopping, and backing up....thats about it.

 

Really? I miss a few now and then, like when I am cut off, and have to do the "oh shit" thing. But other than that, it is a natural thing. I don't even think about it, even in the mountains. And I just bought this truck?

What am I missing? :?

 

I don't think you're missing anything.... I tend to only miss a gear if I think about it... other than that the sound of the engine triggers the shift... I learned to drive a stick 42 years ago in a 1960 VW that didn't have a tach, and didn't even have a gas guage :shock: After a while it just becomes second nature and you do it...... 8)

 

I have driven both auto shift and manual. I prefer manual for much of the same reasons that Skywalker suggested. It makes a difference going down steep grades. I prefer down shifting with a manual. I feel that you have better control with a manual going down mountains, although you can shift manually with the auto. I prefer the auto shift during heavy traffic, such as in Chicago at rush hour.

 

we at maverick have automatics with autoswitch which basically you can shift it manual with a pull up or push down of a switch like a high beam switch just on opposite side. It does not have a clutch pedal. I like using auto mode. But it shifts at 1600rpm, and Ive learned that even fully loaded you can put it in manual and shift at 1300rpm and it will save you fuel mileage. Upshifting I do manual and once its in 10th gear I switch it to auto for the down shifting.

 

DONT ASK USELESS TO DRIVE A AUTO HES TO STUPID AND WILL TELL ON IT

 

I just got issued a truck after training, and it's a super10 and I hate the thing so far. I keep forgeting to flip the button and just shift.

 

I had an auto for 8 months, got out of it first chance I got.

 

Although you see more and more autoshifts coming out nowadays I would stick to manuals. When I was in truck school I dreaded shifting the straight ten-speed tranny in our training trucks. After awhile it became second nature after getting used to it. It's always good to learn to drive a manual as there aren't that many companies who use autoshifts, yet. Most of the autoshifts are used by owner/operators.8)