Manual vs Automatic Transmissions

Chinatown · Jan 30, 2014

The tanker company put me in a test truck from Volvo; testing it to decide whether to buy any or not. It was Volvo truck, Volvo Engine, Volvo Automatic Transmission. Drove it 48 states and that was the most relaxed driving I've ever done. No problems with surge. It also did perfectly on downshifting going up Black Mountain and everywhere else. It did the work while I enjoyed my coffee.

FLATBED · Jan 30, 2014

Best to learn on a standard as its good to know and fall back on if needed in the future . But on a side note to the ANTI AUTOMATIC group the biggest / heaviest trucks currently in use ( as well is the past ) are AUTOMATICS and the AUTOMATIC class 8 trucks are increasing in production every year so they are not going to vanish from the world of trucking.

Big Duker · Jan 30, 2014

RevKev said: ↑

Uh, just to clarify --- since you felt the need to jump to all sorts of unfounded conclusions --- One, I did not just go running down the mountainside. I approached it at an appropriate speed, even allowed the auto to downshift before heading down. Two, as a matter if fact I had read the manual. Three, my terminal manager, as well as another driver, had both talked with me in detail about the auto, its workings, mannerisms, etc. So, it wasn't like I suddenly found myself flying down a hillside, looked down, saw some buttons, & decided to start pressing to see what they'd do. Nor did I remotely imply anything close. I said I felt the auto was letting the truck go --- i.e., staying in a higher gear --- thn was to "my liking". It may have very well still been a safe speed, but I wasn't comfortable with it, so I switched to manual & shifted myself.
And that's more explaining I've done to clear up one'a misperceptions of me or something I've said in quite some time. lol
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Like I said you can't drive auto correctly can you?? You put them in MANUAL and YOU do the thinking and shifting. The auto mode is totally out of the loop except for starting out. You should have been in MANUAL before you crested the hill. Now you know. Totally safe if you do what needs to be done. No different then getting yourself too fast in manual tranny and being unable to downshift. I worked for a man who had an auto. He drove around TX for yrs. Started hauling OD to Rifle and Vernal UT. Almost got himself killed in Loveland Pass. Same thing . Thought Auto did all things all the time. He was lucky that his brakes slowed him down before he learned to fly without a plane. Had no idea of manual mode as he got lazy. Sure found out how to use it after that.

HauntedSchizo19 · Jan 30, 2014

Richter said: ↑

First off, there is nothing saying you couldn't stary with auto's throgh out your whole career. Auto's are becoming more and more popular. I think you should "lnow how" to drive a manual, but you don't need tons of practice. The new cascadia evolution can be specked with a Detroit motor and a Detroit auto trans. The same truck and motor coupled with a 9, 10, 13 or 18 will not get as high mpg with the best drivers. They have tested this. The auto out shifts them all. Old autos did suck, but the new ones are so presice and shift so quick they are just better than a human. They also can't be abused as easily by the driver. Since you can control what gear your in on a hill they literally have just as much control as a manual. I know old school drivers will disagree with me, but technology has and will continue to change the trucking industry. Auto trans that can out shift a driver is just progress. My point is, do to upgrades in tech, autos are becoming more and more popular. As the older drivers retire there wont be many reasons to keep manuals in the fleets.

That being said, in most driver test they dont care about shifting. In all the experienced driver test i took they didn't care if i grndied, dropped out of gear etc. The reason is that every truck is different and gear pastern is different. I tested on a 10 speed once and im used to a 13. Totally different pattern. They could not expect me to be used to it although with a lot of time driving the truck i would be.

If you are concerned about manual experience, I recommend TMC. Maverick and them are very similar but TMC drive manual trans.
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Thanks for that. That's the second response I heard that says you don't need much experience with manual, in order to grasp it. I guess I just gotta do it like Big Duker said. I do plan to go to a company that has manuals. I'm looking into Melton Truck Lines. My first choice would be TMC, but I am not yet 23 years of age (I'm 21). Thanks, though!

HauntedSchizo19 · Jan 30, 2014

x#1 said: ↑

every transmission that I personally have shifted always has the same pattern-that of an H.it may be an expanded H or a split H,but it is an H.

7,8,9,10,13,18 speed all have the basic H pattern.

oddly enough,i can jump into a 13 speed from a 9 and not grind the gears and then an 18 speed back to a 13.never a grind.

anyone can drive a truck w/an automatic transmission in it while not everyone can drive a truck with a manual transmission in it.

you either can or can not drive a manual.why be relegated to an automatic thus limiting your ability of being hired? I fail to see the argument whether pro or con.

autos are going to be the thing for mega-fleets simply because of what is being churned out of those trucking schools.it is easily ascertained by reading the posts just who has attended a driving "academy".

my only advice is to be sure and wear those fingerless gloves when putting it in D-
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So once you get it, it's like riding a bike: you never forget how? If so, that's good to know. I mean, I have driven manual 4wheelers and pickups (not comparing them to semi's), and it does take some time to get used to after awhile, but it comes back. I just posed a question, that has been answered thoroughly, as I thought it to be! Thanks!

HauntedSchizo19 · Jan 30, 2014

Chinatown said: ↑

The tanker company put me in a test truck from Volvo; testing it to decide whether to buy any or not. It was Volvo truck, Volvo Engine, Volvo Automatic Transmission. Drove it 48 states and that was the most relaxed driving I've ever done. No problems with surge. It also did perfectly on downshifting going up Black Mountain and everywhere else. It did the work while I enjoyed my coffee.
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I'm assuming you gave a positive review, and the company has introduced them into their fleet?

Sik_Life · Jan 30, 2014

Just starting out I could see the issue being keeping your skills sharp. If you're only driving autos then someday are given a manual truck then you'll probably be rusty at the least. The manliness of auto vs manual tranny is comical. If you're driving a truck to feel manly you've probably got some issues.

HauntedSchizo19 · Jan 30, 2014

Sik_Life said: ↑

Just starting out I could see the issue being keeping your skills sharp. If you're only driving autos then someday are given a manual truck then you'll probably be rusty at the least. The manliness of auto vs manual tranny is comical. If you're driving a truck to feel manly you've probably got some issues.
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Somebody understands where I am coming from! I'm not saying that the answers I've received haven't been helpful, but you got it! Thanks! I just don't want that to happen, especially in my first several years into the industry - the rusty part, that is!

Northern Lights · Jan 30, 2014

I don't mind driving a true automatic truck. What I dislike are "auto-shift" (manual transmission, computer shifts the gears). If you're going to have a clutch in your truck, shift the gears yourself.

FLATBED · Jan 30, 2014

Some drivers I met over the years are so SHIFTLESS they need the AUTOMATIC transmission

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