Quote:
Originally Posted by GMAN
I have always gotten better fuel mileage with a straight shift than automatic. It is my understanding that the primary reason for the shift toward automatics is lack of ability of many of the newer drivers to shift gears. Trucking is attracting more and more females to the profession. Some carriers with whom I have spoken have told me that attracting more women is one reason for them going more toward automatics. More women prefer the automatics than straight shift transmissions according to a couple of these people that I spoke.
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I don't really think the lack of manual transmission skills is gender specific.
Rather, I think it is a result of the predominance of automatic transmissions in 4 wheelers.
Today there are an awful lot of 4 wheeler drivers out there who cannot operate a car with a manual transmission.
Thus, more of a percentage of the truck driving school students haven't a clue going in.
It's not like it was when I was a kid and everybody knew how to drive a manual.
Did I mention that I have an extreme dislike for automatic transmissions?