Bad news for manual lovers

No joke and I had a tow rig on behind! I stopped twice on the way to check and make sure that stupid transmission wasn't dislodging the truck in tow. Cripes! To keep it from jerking everything you had to act as if you were floating the gears and then it would be smoother, but nothing like having a stick. I dreaded coming into town as I knew I was going to have to deal with herky jerky again. But in all fairness, I have been told that the new automatics are MUCH better. I would hope so.

 

There's a learning curve that's much much larger then a manual. It's not just get in and go. The throttle is the master control and when, where and how it shifts. If you want it to shift earlier, back off on the throttle. Wanna rep it out? Floor that sucker.

 

Ok that was funny. Why not put a paddle shift on the steering wheel.

 

My truck has a paddle shift on it already. But I'm saying in auto mode the throttle tells the truck when to shift.

 

The pete I drove was on the dash that sucked. Manual mode w/ paddle would be better. You are right about the hammer being the controller on an auto. It took awhile to adjust to an auto. I drove sticks for over 30 years. Old dog/new tricks. They just aren't as fast as manuals, yet. In time perhaps.

 

Exactly, it's common sense I'd think, but that's just my opionion, you couldn't get me in a auto, NO WAY.

 

So manual transmissions don't break down?

 

Depends on how it's programmed. My trans in auto mode upshifts at 1600 rpms and downshifts at 1100 rpms no matter how much or how little throttle I give it.

 

Mines a 05 freightliner with smart shift by meritor. If I floor it and hold it there it will rep the engine to about 1900 rpm (max hp spot) but I run about half throttle it will shift about 1500.

 

Could this be the younger generation? Everything is too hard. In my experience many are lazy.