Automatics..for newbies..really???

You keep telling yourself that tough guy. I shift like the best of them but I drive an auto now. Does that mean I lack the ability to completely and confidently control my vehicle? Does that mean I am nothing more than a steering wheel holder? Because my boss and my driving record would probably disagree with you on that.

You wanna drive a stick because it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, have at it. But don't form assumptions about my skill level based on the type of transmission in my truck. Unless you like being wrong that is.

As for noobs? I dunno. The writing is one the wall and autos are going to dominate the fleet sooner rather than later. Still I agree shifting is a skill that every driver ought to have. But any noob with half a brain ought to be able to learn it cold in a month once they're on the road in a manual. I see no reason why it should make a difference if that month happens during their first job or their second or their third or forth or fifth.

Learn the basics in school and master it when you get the opportunity to do so. No one is going to care.

 

The only thing I don't like about automatics for noobs is this..Would you not want to know what the truck is supposed to be doing (engine RPM, road speed yada yada) with a stick even when driving an auto?

We have a 13 and two 18s and I personally prefer driving those over the automatic tandem we have. The tandem with auto is nice in stop and go traffic or when you're always shifting, but I prefer to be able to pick my gears. Have always owned manuals cars, trucks and Jeeps also.

 

I have never driven a tractor trailer with an auto. I do believe sooner or later that autos will dominate certain areas of class 7&8. However, for things like heavy haul and specialized, well, I just don't know.

I would think that 13 speeds should dominate class 8 before autos; they won't though.

I think that as BFI companies figure out how they can program the truck to shift to save wear and tear, get better mileage, and control how fast a driver accelerates, etc, thus turning their drivers into true "Steering wheel holders", they will ALL be running autos and it will not matter; I'm not sure most really care now.

Running a 10 speed requires training and practice, but so does an auto, 9 speeds, 13 speeds, 18 speeds, and so on. The change over is a minimal change for most.

 

To me it's not smart for a new driver. As others have said, when you're starting out you don't know where you might end up later. 2-3 years experience with no manual experience will limit opportunities.

I don't personally knock guys that do drive them though. It's just not smart in the start. I personally don't like them but to each their own. My dad has been driving for 32 years and can't wait to get an auto. I still do talk crap to him about it though, but that's a family thing.

 

I really, really do not like driving a manual. Every vehicle my family has owned in my life (I'm 35) has been an automatic. It is alien to me. Most of my friends also have only driven automatics. I've been to grad school, I hold several insurance licences... this has been the hardest thing I have attempted. I made a decision to go to a company that uses manuals rather than autos because it's expected that a trucker will know how to shift a manual.

I've learned far more about trucks this way. I may end up driving an auto but I will understand it better. Every day I'm less tempted to call Maverick just because of their auto fleet.

 

Honestly I'm not trying to down your skill level. I've driven an auto, I honestly don't feel comfortable in them because I don't feel like I'm in control. I only drove the auto for about 20 minutes, now I admit autos are awesome when it comes to stop and go traffic, but I just prefer the stick shift. I like double clutching and I do get a fuzzy feeling when I drive my 10 speed lol

 

look at it this way, we are not in the 70s anymore, autos have come a long way they are no where as bad as they use to be.
these company's are all going to be saving money, ALLOT off drivers can not drive a stick for the life of them, and they where out clutches and gears prematurely, costing $$$. an auto is pretty much idiot proof.

 

I have to say I agree a bit with the OP. I'm in an auto now and hopefully will be upgrading soon into a newer manual truck. It's been almost 6 months since I have driven a stick shift truck and I'm sure it will come back to me eventually. But I prefer a manual.

BTW anyone who thinks any brainless noob can just safely drive and auto never drove one through mountains in heavy snow. Easily the most challenging 5 hours of my driving career to date. No clutch but you are still shifting yourself to stay in control. Keeping in as low a gear as possible to keep the rpms up so you don't break traction. Nerve racking and exciting...I loved it.

 

I think everyone should learn on a manual but autos have some great benefits.
Slow maneuvering is not great on automated manuals.
They say the newer ones are better I believe.
For those who may not know this the heaviest trucks and machinery are always automatics.