Automatic transmissions

I like them...

 

The most relaxed driving I've ever done was driving a Volvo with Volvo engine & Volvo automatic transmission. That was pulling liquid tanker 48 states & Canada in all weather. That was a company truck & that's what I would buy if I wanted to be an 0/0. I enjoyed the steep grades and mountains, sitting back with my mug of coffee and letting the transmission do the up shifting and down shifting. Some drivers hate them, but I love them.

 

There are automatics and automated transmissions. The later do not have a torque convertor and use a clutch. I drive a Volvo with the I-Shift transmission. It has the premium shifter and programming. The transmission is a 12 speed and you do not have a clutch pedal. The computer shifts for you and clutches. I would never want to get back to a regular transmission. I can put it in manual and shift it by pushing the up or down shift button. The I-Shift and the engine brake on the Volvo bring driver comfort to a new level.

We do a lot of LTL stuff and spend time in lots of cities. Not having to clutch and move a shifter all day long makes a tough job a lot easier.

 

No problems pulling liquid. If I was stopped at a light, and surge was happening when the light turned green, I still tried to time the surge and acceleration for a smoother acceleration. The company also had a Freightliner they tested and it would get confused between liquid surges and didn't seem to know what gear it needed to be in. The company sent it back and bought Volvo's.

 

Picture this scenario, coming out of the GW toll plaza at 7am on a Monday morning, not once having to shift but sure as hell enjoying my morning cup of coffee across the Cross Bronx Expressway.

 

We went strictly automated trannies several years ago and are not going back, in fact the next new truck I order(probably in a couple of months) will have the new Allison TC-10 in it. I really believe this will be the best of both worlds.

 

Eaton 10 speeds for us.. very nice by my standards and of course the drivers all wanted to hate it.. now when their trucks go to the shop, they can hardly wait to get back into their autos. For fluids, there is always "manual" mode.