Share your opinions Automatic transmission vs Manual transmission on Volvo trucks

Automatic all the way. How they have not become industry standard by now I have no idea. Drove a 2007 columbia with automatic for 5 years and NEVER had a problem with the transmission. Drive a prostar 10 speed now and I miss the automatic.

 

Getting to be more class 8 trucks with AUTOMATICS sold every year and usually the BIGGEST & HEAVIEST trucks in the WORLD are AUTOMATICS so not all that bad.

Looking for a few new trucks at the present time VOLVO dealer offered 1 for a months trial with the full VOLVO drivetrain , looking forward to checking it out

 

I wonder if the drivers of yesteryear had the same type argument over power steering or manual steering.........

 

No argument on that. Power steering was what I longed for when I was with an old freight company.

 

Power steering was a GOD SEND when you finally got a hand me down tractor that had it , back then newbies did not get handed the good stuff you earned it by longevity and hard work

 

Since the days of Armstrong steering I feel as if my arms have lost definition.

 

I drive one every day, Volvo with a Volvo. One major selling point is the abuse of the tranny is no longer there. You cant shock load it, you don't miss gears, it has clutch protection, so it's pretty hard to abuse, trust me I've tried. Manual shifting of it is easy, but the 1st ten gears are so close you have to double tap it. You can hold any gear for going down steep grades in manual mode. You don't really need the eco/power button, all it does is hold gears a little longer, maybe even to long, you can just switch to manual mode then hold them yourself. If you are looking at one without the paddles on the side for manual shifting, get another one or you might end up hating it. I drove one with and without paddles, hands down the paddle one is the way to go. Personally I don't like it at times, and other times I like it, for city driving they are nice, but OTR I wouldn't want it. Just my opinion though!!

 

i see volvos pulling twin 53's for the gold colored company out of manitobia, some of the euro drivers there feel so comfortable with automatics they drive in traffic with left leg up on dash wrapped around steering wheel. im guessing they give you a false sense of control lol