Automatic Manual Transmissions vs Manual Transmissions

Yes you can float down. Down shifting one gear at a time is the same as up shifting one gear at a time except you rev the engine UP a couple hundred (let's assume 18 speed) instead of letting the rpms fall a couple hundred. A 10 speed OD would be more like 300-400 rpm steps between gears.

It will probably depend on your trainer.

 

And yet I've done it, several times, it actually takes timing and patience

 

It's very simple, you never leave line 3, but in the remarks section, you draw a line straight down at about the approximate time you stopped, and mark it. Since that time, when I do it, I draw the line, write in "Personal Relief" and move on.

As for fighting it, if you want to drive 6 hrs each way, multiple times, in your own personal vehicle, go for it.

 

Exactly, and if you really want to become intimate friends with your windshield, hit the max brake without your seatbelt, while bobtail.

 

It has nothing to do with the EPA. EPA does not even measure fuel economy of class 8 trucks. There are no CAFE standards for such trucks.

More importantly, the automated manual does not get better fuel economy. That is just a sales pitch. The just of the pitch is in you gave your whole fleet automated manuals, your worst drivers and your best drivers would get the same mileage. And, if your fleet consisted of mainly crappy drivers, your whole fleet fuel mileage would go up on average, since your automated manual would factor out the crappy drivers. A good driver will outperform a automated manual in fuel milage. Look it up.

Automated manuals were only invented so companies could get a juicy government contracts. You see, the military will only buy equipment that everybody can drive: automatics. After the R&D was done these companies try to recoup the cost by delivering a sales pitch, (better fuel economy easier operation) to the fleet execs. that don't drive trucks but hire steering wheel holders.

 

I have about 30,000 miles now in my MDRIVE auto.

Thoughts.

Pros: easy, pull doubles grossing at near 120k lbs. never a problem. Want a lower gear? Push the throttle down like in an old pickup and it will kick down.

Engine brake is the biggest pro! Hit the max engine brake button and it will rev to 1900 and catch every gear on the way down! As much or more brake power as my cat C15 with none of the missed downshifts!

Cons: standard auto mode skip shifts for economy. But push performance button and it will catch every gear and hold it to max power if you wish.