What are your thoughts on automatic vs manual transmissions?

As much as I don't think I'd myself that way, I'm well into old guy status, I've been at this almost 4 decades. And my new truck is the first auto I've had, but here's my thoughts.

I've got a top of the line Ultrashift, and after 5 months, I'll say I'd get one again. It isn't perfect, it's different. I think the biggest thing to be aware of is that if you're expecting to just sit back and have nothing to do with the tranny, you're going to be disappointed in its performance.

Leaving the tranny to do its thing is fine in less complex situations, but when you're expecting specific behavior, you'll have to prompt it to get the behavior you want. So slick roads or mountain grades I'm in manual mode. Slowing from highway speed I tend push downshifts sooner than the tranny will request them. Little things like that.

They shift quicker on skip shifts, but I'm quicker with a manual on normal shifts. But those slower shifts are better on drive tire wear.

 

Very reliable. We rarely have an issue with either the I-Shifts or the Detroit D12, and we have hundreds of them.

 

I have a 2014 Mack with the mDrive. I generally love it. I can gently bump a dock with it and it does fine on slow speeds eg yard moves. In traffic its not perfect but I suck then too so at least I'm not grinding.

I was less enthused with the DT12 in the 2016 and older Cascadias.

Whatever Paccar had in 2016 I barely remember as good or bad.

I have no experience with the old clutched ones.

 

4 years and around 500,000 miles.

 

A local company here gets about 750k out of their mDrive clutches and 1 million out of the MP7/8 engines before overhaul/sale.

They only hire experienced drivers.

 

If you put lite pressure on brake pedal it will stay in gear. I use the lite steady pressure going downhills. If going down a big hill try Descent Mode. You set the truck up for how slow downhill you want to go. The transmission will downshift a gear usually and bring RPMs up to 2100 or 2200. Not sure if drivers know but it not just leaving cruise control on. Drivers have first set engine brake to 1. Then drivers can slow truck down to speed they want using regular brakes. Once at that speed take foot off brakes and SET the cruise control. That will lock it into that speed and engine brakes will come on and transmission will probably drop a gear for maximum engine braking if needed to hold the speed.

 

Anyone have a cost in a replacement I shift, M drive, or DT-12?

My knowledge is outdated, but was told 24k for I shift when they came out.

I can reman my eaton fuller 6.85 times. My insurance will cover my left knee that's been junk since 9th grade.