Questions for those who drive automatics...

Not driving one currently, but did about 18 months ago when I was a test driver for a UPS Freight tractor powered by liquid natural gas (LNG) for a few months. I did not care for the automatic at all mainly because I am old school, prefer the manual shift transmission, plus the automatic often had major software issues that resulted in the shifting feeling like a kid on his first day at a truck driving school was shifting the gears.

 

I drove an automatic Vac truck and and I liked it, you can use it as automatic or manual, I liked it for going up hills because it help me As I am new to driving big trucks, but the downside is it's not teaching you for when you go to another company. it did take a little getting use to at first but once you get it it is easy.

 

2014 Prostar day cab, Cummins ISX 15 and the Eaton Ultrashift...I read the manual...have no complaints.

 

I drove a Pete yeasterday with an 18 speed autoshift. It was interesting to say the least. They reprogrammed it for progressive shifting and I had 50k on the deck of the truck. The day before I drove a KW with an 18 speed manual with just as much weight on it so it was good that I could make this comparison between the two. I didn't like the Pete, I had less control over it and it felt like it was freewheeling a lot - a feeling I just didn't like when I would get on an ramp that I had to control my speed. I think that if they didn't reprogram it, it would have shifted nicely but I can't tell them what they should do. I know that the mileage on the pete seemed to be better, 5.3 vs. 4.7 on the KW (checked at the pump).

 

I drove an automatic for 1,250 000 miles, I had electrical issues with the transmission, but never had any problems with snow, rain or mud and I spent most of those miles in the northern states or Canada.
My reason for choosing an automatic was my two worn out knees, it was either getting a desk job or driving an automatic, and I am very happy with my decision.

 

I'm in a 2014 Freightliner Cascadia with a 12 SPD smart shift. Decent pulling power even for uphill (except on a really heavy load) I have no complaints and it wouldn't bother me not to go back to a stick.

 

I feel ostracized for not having driven an automatic and being excluded from this thread.

I'm off to cry on my clutch pedal.

 

I drove an auto 48 states, or was it 57 states, all terrain, pulling liquid tankers of acid. Loved the automatic. The auto did the shifting; flat land, mountains, steep grades up or down, while I enjoyed my hot coffee and XM radio.
If I bought a truck it would be automatic.