A note to the anti-auto crowd

I think there are a lot of assumptions regarding automated transmissions.
One of the biggest is that they use a torque converter.
They use a standard clutch and a pretty standard transmission.
The clutch and shifts are just done by solenoids and actuators.
These are either controlled by the driver in manual override or buy a computer in full auto mode.
In the ones I have driven you could try pull away in any gear I suspect.
I have not tried to be honest buy I see the computer pulling away in 6th when bob tailing.

 

Now you see! For starters these modern auto's are not atomatic gearboxes, they are semi autos, theres no torque converters, the clutchless autos have an auto clutch, there is no slippage of the transmission to give extra friction, it's still an ordinary box no difference only a couple of solenoids added, that's the clever bit! As for not being able to tow it? No problem when all power is lost ( which it rarely is ) there's nothing to tell the solenoids to keep the truck in gear so they will return to neutral, besides your not supposed to park a truck in gear anyway!

As for pull starting, if you're parked long enough for the batteries to run down that much chances are your air is low and Ure brakes are locked on anyway, best buy yourself a booster pack!

I think mate you're thinking of a pickup truck! Now days the advantage of a manual over an auto is non existent , maybe autos based on crash boxes are slower but modern ones are very fast and you are garunteed they will stay in gear, and your type manual is known as a crash box over here!

I never said manuals suck and I can drive just fine thank you!

 

I know a guy who can juggle 3 chain saws.

The guy you know knows how to roll the power on after a shift.
He knows how to shift down and pick up the revs on a climb when the motor would pull it.
Hand those trucks out to a feeder fleet and how many would last a week do you think?

 

Yup you can select any gear you want to start in!

 

There's a guy in Germany with a small fleet of 1000hp Scanias but like king Q said hand those to a bunch of idiots and all you'll have is buckets of bolts and tranny parts strewn all over the place!

 

I agree with most of your points.

My auto is a manual with a centrifugal clutch. At least that's what I'm told it has by the Freightliner dealer.

It doesn't have a torque converter, although I can only choose to start in 2nd gear and no higher. I can feather the throttle and control how fast or slow I back up or move forward.

I usually switch to manual mode going down a grade since ill downshift to keep my speed down. My engine brake has no pull what so ever, I think its cuz its a Mercedes engine but the shop thinks I need to have a new one installed.

I'm all for manuals, I could drive either. I'm assigned this auto, I'm happy with it, I wish my engine brake would work better but I know that's not the transmissions fault. I can honestly say I would hate to be rolling down a steep grade and have a solenoid or actuator go out and get stuck in one gear.

Ethan

 

If anything happens those boxes like an actuator they go to limp mode where u can only shift in manual but they still work fine besides it's usually a pair of solenoids so if one goes u still have another besides I'm running autos since 2004 with no problems only one had a speed sensor go when still under warranty but the driver just drove in manual mode till he got to the workshop.

Engine brakes were never developed on euro engines cos we normally have retarders, they're the law in some European countries so nobody here has developed jakes either so I doubt your engine brake will ever be any good

 

Yeah I don't think this engine has an actual engine brake but more of an exhaust brake. My Detroit in my 10spd man. would slow me down quick even with 40k lbs behind me.

On this Mercedes engine o turn the brake on high and even empty it doesn't do a darn good. Ive been just going down grades without using it at all. I can feel my brakes start to fade though.

Ethan

 

Yeah I've never driven a truck here with a decent engine brake , they do little more than make noise , countries here like Spain that are so mountainous retarders are the law , you even see them on trailers there,

 

Dang that's crazy.

I love straight piped exhaust with a good Jake brake on the engine and letting that baby sing going down a 5% grade for a couple miles.

I was next to a Pete the other day in CT. He had short stacks and his Jake went wide open. I love that sound lol

Im gonna have our shop look at my engine brake, see if there's anything wrong.

Ethan