Auto Trans
 

does anyone ever driven with a auto trans is it better then a manual ?

I've driven one, in a 466 International. It was a small single axle grain truck.

As for big trucks, I've never driven an automatic. I dont think I would want to. Seems like you would be using the brakes a lot more.

I think it all depends on what folks want, or what they whether drive..

I drove them for Interstate, they were great, going down hill, you put it where you want it, it will maintain speed, going up hill, just push the peddle down and it does all the shifting.'

In traffic you look at the driver beside you and they are working it, with the auto you just drive, unless you need to come to a stop.

A lot less work to accomplish the same outcome.

A lot less control, too :shock:

As a Newbie it makes your driving less stressfull! :o But u still need to master standard transmissions! Ithink alot of autos r for the ladies getting into trucking! But theres nothing wrong w/ autos or women driving in trucking!! :shock:

I work for Interstate and have about 90k in an "Auto Shift" truck running the western 11 states. The transmission is no different than a regular 10 speed and can be shifted manually, you just don't worry about floating the gears. The computer runs the engine's rpms when you shift. In auto mode, it will downshift when rpms get to about 1300. There's a lot of advantages to an auto shift that many drivers aren't aware of compared to a stick. When in traffic, such as the many times I've been in Denver, Seattle and L.A., this is where the auto is great. You don't find your left leg shaking from all the clutching. When climbing hills, you never miss a gear. When going downhill, you just lock it into the gear you want and let the jake do it's work, along with controlled braking. The only problems I've encountered with the auto is erratic shifting due to electrical grounds for the computers getting corroded and the X-Y shifter wearing out and needing to be replaced. These problems show up on our trucks well after they have over 500k on them, which by then the company is looking at selling them anyway. As for me learning to drive a stick, I passed my CDL test in one and think if I had to, would be ready because I watch rpms and road speed all the time. That's what shifting a stick is about anyway.

It doesn't bother me to be in traffic with a manual trans, you just manage your speed so when everyone is stoppong and going you just keep on rolling.

I've seen 5 cars jump in front me in Seattle when I was just rolling along. I keep my stopping distance, but with the auto, I can close that gap a little if I want.

I guarantee that there's not a driver out there that can downshift as fast (and properly) as an autoshift when you have to do a "panic" stop. The truck will hit every gear on it's way and slow you down much faster.

As far as less control, I'm sorry - I just don't understand that one. The truck shifts exactly when it needs to. It will get much better mileage (1-1.5mpg higher) with less stress on the driver.

Automatic = P.O.S.

That's my opinion.

how so..?

Why do you say that?

An autoshift transmission is mechanically identical to a straight-10. The only difference is that there is an electrical x-y shifter mounted at the top of the transmission, in place of the normal shift lever. There is also a computer to control it.

So, exactly why do you say they're a POS?

This kind of crap gets slung around everywhere. Autos were called 'crap' in the beginning with autos. Likewise ABS, computer controlled engines, and automatic spark advance. In cars, trucks, motorcycles, there's always someone who is afraid of change and afraid of technology. People who 'need' the crutch don't have the skill to do x, y, z.

My two favorites of this form of 'discourse':

A poster spent two minutes talking to one buddy (with a similar mindset) who experienced some nascent form of the technology 5, 10, 20 years ago. It sucked then (according to second hand knowledge) so it must suck today.

Number two is usually relegated solely to ABS, but I've seen it some in the auto/manual debate. 'Someone' said that 'in theory' an expert could stop faster (or shift quicker) than the computer controlled one. Well, since bench racer Ben is an expert, he can do things better/faster than the computer.

I've never driven an auto truck (school only had manuals) and have no intention of driving one for my first year or more. Why? Because at this stage, given the current market penetration, I would limit my skill development and employment opportunities in the future. Not sure where trucking goes in the future, but if it remains looking something like it does today, in another decade, that won't be a problem.

:withstupid:
Are you going for a joke, or do you actually believe that? If the former, you really need to work on your material, as that just wasn't funny. If the latter... Well, personal attacks aren't allowed here, so I'll merely say you are uninformed. I don't know you, but I can almost guarantee I've taught more people to operate more types of vehicles and machinery than you have. And there is zero correlation between sex and ability.

About the only thing you got right is the "there's nothing wrong with..." comment.

interesting
 

I am fully cognizant of the principles of their operation.

As I stated in the second sentence of my post, that is my opinion.

I prefer a manual transmission.

I also believe that having the ability to operate a manual unsynchronized transmission is sort of a "litmus test" for drivers.

If a driver cannot learn to proficiently operate a manual transmission, then chances are that person cannot handle a truck in other ways either.

There are some people who are "naturals" when it comes to driving a truck and are good right from the start, and there are others who, even if they went to truck driver school for 25 years would never be able to handle a truck safely or shift gears properly. Automatic transmissions in big trucks bring us that much closer to putting incompetent drivers out there.

If someone likes automatic transmissions, well, that's their opinion.

To each his own

I also believe that having the ability to operate a manual unsynchronized transmission is sort of a "litmus test" for drivers.

If a driver cannot learn to proficiently operate a manual transmission, then chances are that person cannot handle a truck in other ways either.

Just as splitshifter voiced his rather unworthy to me opinion, I'll voice mine. I passed a state CDL license test driving a straight 10 speed manual shift transmission. Does that pass the "litmus test" for drivers? I believe so, since I learned to drive that truck in less than 3 weeks. I don't feel that just because I drive an auto shift truck, I may be lacking proficiency in any other way when operating or handling a truck. In fact, I do believe I can operate that truck much more safer than a driver with the same experience in a manual, simply because I have less distractions and concerns in an emergency situation. Case in point, would you like to be on a steep hill on the ice with a heavy load when the driver in front of you misses a gear and has to stop to get going again? Auto shift transmissions make that situation non-existent. You never miss a gear in them. There are a lot of old timers at Interstate that drove sticks for a very long time. I've spoke to them about the change they made going to the auto, they all said it was tough at first trying to find something to do with their right hand, but all said the auto became quite an asset in being a safer driver and they won't go back to the stick.

Lunker wrote:So then why are you pissed off?

You learned to drive on a truck with a manual transmission and quickly became proficient at it. The fact that you're driving an autoshift now is irrelevant.

I have a 13sp UltraShift in my Pete. I would not go back to a manual.

So then why are you pissed off?

I'm not pissed off, but opinions that lump auto shift drivers into an unsafe category are rather ridiculous and that's my opinion.

Splitshifter wrote:Not ridiculous at all.

You know how to proficiently operate a truck with a manual.

What is ridiculous is training new drivers on automatics because it's "easier"to get them through the training program that way and put "meat in the seat".

i think auto's is great for companies. Now than can get more drivers and pay less to drivers as there is less skill in truck driving.

I guess I read more into your post than I should of. Your points well taken. I spoke today with a local company about employment and then to my instructor at the local school where I got my cdl. It's been 10 months since I drove a stick and the instructor has no problem giving me a day or two to refresh with a stick before trying out with the local company. I figure I'll need a little work after watching my brother float gears the other day on the way home.
Anyone here familiar with what my instructor called a "gearmaster" he says they now have in their trucks?

GMH--THANKS U MUST B THE BRAINS ON HERE!! LOL!! :roll:

I can't believe the arguing going on here. I think both transmissions are fine. I can drive both, and right now am driving a Mack Granite with a Maxitorque 8 speed. I have driven 8's, 9's, 10's and super 10's. My last job before going into the tri-axle was driving Freightliner Columbias with the new Freightliner Smart-Shift, a fully automatic transmission with no clutch at all. I liked everything about it except the fact that you can only start out in the preset starting gear. Which for our trucks was 2nd. Even when bobtailing, when many will start in 3rd or even 4th, this transmission wouldn't do it, not even when manual mode was selected.

Would I drive an automatic again? Most certainly! In fact, if I ever switch jobs again, I will check out the companies that are running them. It is so much more enjoyable to drive, especially in stop and go traffic, with an automatic vs the manual. That being said, I would just as quickly take a good job with a company that still uses the manual transmission. Both work for me with no complaints.

The company I drive for is about 50/50 on autos vs manual trucks. I was talking to a new driver who'd joined up with us a few weeks ago. He's been driving trucks for 32 years and he's in his first automatic.

He made it plainly clear that he'll NEVER drive another manual truck.

what I dont get is why does anyone care so much about what someone else prefers?

I don't either, that's why I made the post I did. Both transmissions have their place in the world, and it's up to each driver what he or she prefers. I myself prefer the automatic even though I can drive both.

Same here. I spent the last 9 months in an auto-shift and now I'm back in a straight-10. No big deal, but I do prefer the auto.

Not me. SteveBooth and Rev. Vegasso (sp) are currently fighting over that moniker. :wink:

I recently read an article about the auto shift transmission in the Volvo VN 780. The author gave the transmission lots of praises.

I personally prefer to shift on my own. If you know how to use proper space management, you really don't need the clutch even in stop and go traffic unless traffic comes to a complete stop.

I believe all of US XPRESS' trucks are using auto trannies. I would like to try one to see what it's like.