I-shift for flatbed opinions

My mechanic says it's a technological marvel when it is working right................when it's working right.

So many sensors on the engine & tranny, make sure you get a good warranty that covers everything. May cost more up front, but could save your ### in the end.

 

When he is heavy 45,000 or more going down hill he better be in manual transmission watching the RPM and shift manually as needed.

 

The new generation of i-shift (2012 and newer) works flawlessly with any load and any weight. I have test drove the Mack with the M-Drive (same as Volvo) and it was smooth as silk. Cluck Cluck has driven the I-Shift trucks a few times and he loves them.

 

My only issue with the ishift is the XE package. Its not set up for a lot of rolling resistance. They're set up for van work. Also the ishift is set up to "coast" down hill. If you know how to use it there are no issues.

also if you drive a ishift or mdrive and you don't like it then you dont want to like it. Because its AWESOME!!!!!!!

 

We have 6 of them in the fleet doing oversize. I have a 2010 Pete with ISX Cummins and ultra shift and one of the other drivers has the Volvo engine with I-shift and when we run the same size loads together we compare fuel mileage and he ALWAYS uses less fuel then I do, usually 7-8 gallons every fill up. Identical loads on identical trailers.

 

The transmission and engine communicate every 1/10 of a second shares data such as ground speed, load weight, grade, wheel slippage. And it'll shift when its supposed to. They'll also sense loads so if you're light you may start in 4th gear and skip 4 6 8 10 12. If there is one thing Volvo has done and I believe this is the only right thing. Thats the I shift transmission