Automated Tranny Pros and Cons

I have never driven one, and I hope that I never will. I prefer manual transmissions in my POV also.

I learned the old fashioned way, while visiting my uncle's farm with an old farm truck, Model A, to be precise. It had a brownie, and I couldn't shift it without grinding the gears. I asked my dad what I was doing wrong, and he told me how to double clutch.

I went and finished my "training" in his 64 Peterbilt that had 4+4 for a transmission.

I think that close to 90% of drivers under 32 have never driven a manual transmission in a POV. Being able to is a skill set. Having more skill sets and common sense is what makes one a better driver. In many cases, the AMT is a great equalizer.

Being able to shift doesn't necessarily make one a better driver, but it is part of the equation.

 

Someday I would love to have a shot in a classic truck with a twin stick, now that is a skill/art that would be a cool challenge...

 

He had to have one last "real" truck. Under powered, ready to grenade if you didn't drive it right. The full gauge package wasn't so it looked like a supertruck, you needed them! My dad was like today's old timers, except instead of AMTs, it was 13 speeds! They were invented for steering wheel holders, who don't know how to shift.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. He said "the rates are the same as 10 years ago" and "today's drivers", this was in the 70s, "aren't like they were 20 years ago!" Sounds familiar?

 

Lol you mean like when we complain about our kids just like our parents did

 

I can remember 20 years ago when I was leased to Werner(I know, we all make mistakes) I was told that the largest pool of drivers are women and a younger generation who have never driven a manual trans. in anything much less a truck and were very intimidated by them thus not getting into the trucking profession.
So yes, a larger pool of drivers and lower wages are the answer.

 

Lol Swift too...you know even with the current AMT you still need to know what's going on if you want to be safe...and let's talk about how many people have trouble with simple backs now, man I watched a guy yesterday struggle to get into a simple dock in a daycab! Now I have my days like all drivers, but CDL mills are pushing more lower skilled drivers out there...you know to keep up with the driver shortage...

 

Well you don't understand how a 'seamless' transmission works. Especially you think one requires a computer. Even in your simplified description, it is clear you are confusing two different transmissions styles.

The twin clutch (dual clutch) transmission is the type of 'seamless' transmission that selects even and odd gears simultaneously. The power is separated from the gears by individual input shafts (most common), and clutches for each of those shafts and gear sets. If you will, a clutch set and shaft for even gears, and another shaft and clutch for odds. A shift between those two gears is simply made by handing off power from one clutch (and shaft) to another clutch and shaft where the next gear resides. A simple mechanical clutch handoff is used while racking up the next gear in sequence at the same time. No computer needed, it can all be done mechanically.

That is not the type of 'seamless' transmission used in F1, too much driveline inertia in the twin clutch. Most of the teams use technology licensed from ZeroShift. They just allow separate control of the drive and compression face of the dog engagement of the dog gear. On initiation of the shift the coast side (compression) of the dog is separated from the driving gear and is engaged with the faster spinning higher gear. Driving side of the dog remains momentarily with the lower gear so power isn't interrupted. When the faster gear catches the coast side, the slope cut into the backside of the other half of the engagement dog simply ratchets away from the lower gear until the other shift fork pulls it away. The system of course requires twice the number of shift forks, engagement dogs, and a more complex shift drum, but it is all mechanical. No computer needed. Rumer is the F1 guys are using two separate shift drums but it could be done with one.

How do I know it could be done with one? Well honda has done it with none! They lost all the shift forks too. And they definately don't use a computer. I could try to explain how honda did it, but their patent was 30,000 words long. I don't think I could do better so lets just say it was a hybrid of the shift system in this:

and the gear wheel drive of this:

First, that is not what you implied previously.

However, power interruption is indeed small and more importantly smooth, but they are all mechanical. If someone is using a computer they are doing it wrong.

If say a computer was used to direct these transmissions, any computer error would be devastating to the transmission. A simple computer error that would allow two gear engagements at the same time would not only ruin the transmission, but the vehicle, the racing season , and maybe the driver/rider. An error would not be just a simple reboot.

I don't know why people get so dazzled with technology that they think a 'computer' is needed for everything.

 

I used to work at a food distribution center in Edison, NJ. My friend, the daytime warehouse manager was typical east coast jerk. We had 6 doors, all in the same part of the warehouse. A Werner driver back in to door number 1, and it took her 1/2 hour, and he watched the whole time. After she got backed in, she checked in and he told her "that was a wonderful job of backing, but I need you in door 6!"

Even though it doesn't take anywhere that long, I learned from this never back in at a shipper or receiver where you haven't been before!

 

Dude you are long winded and I guess you believe it makes you smart, who knows...yes a computer is used to manage the transmissions especially in the current hybrid era. Why is this so hard for you to believe or understand?

The cars use ECU's supplied by Mclearen, and they are not purely mechanical. The common ECU ensures that the FIA can monitor the software and make sure illegal code say for supporting traction control or automated shifting is not present, however these transmissions are a long way from Honda mowers.

Just as you believe you need to "keep things pure here" I'm going to push back on your lack of knowledge, heck we're already so far off topic anyway so may as well go all in...

 

Thanks... I'll never drive one so I'll just stick with the buttons on my Volvo and pretend.

Vroom... Vroom... Vroom...