Automatics, Whats it Like.

Oh come on now he was TEXAN or was that TEXTIN or TEXTING with that " PLZ "

 

It's obvious that most who post here have zero autoshift experience. Exactly same as 10 sp. Problems come in hills if you wait for it downshift. Have hauled OD freight through Loveland pass and many other not so friendly places many times. No big deal. Just like any other truck You can either get in and drive or you can make excuses why you suck. They are very reliable if driven properly just like any other equipment. Don't care for one don't buy one. Like it go for it. Every thing is this life is a tradeoff. Same with auto/manual trannies.

 

autos are great at 5pm in chicago, or any other major city, there also pretty good for grabbin a bite to eat and keep movin so yer burger don't end up on the floor when trying to shift

 

you don't want to be eating burgers anyhow....too much red meat in your colon that just sits there is no good for you......

 

I was totally against automated manual transmissions.All the same prejudiced reasons we have heard over and over. Most, as is almost 100% of the reasons listed as reasons why they don't operate properly are due improper operation. They do have limitations but a lot less then most drivers do.The ones we have automatically adjust shift point and shift speed according to demand.They activate the engine brake/intarder to slow the truck where needed.They have no problem skipping 4 gears at a time.They are better on fuel with out a doubt.Saying that they cant anticipate grade changes so they make inappropriate shifts is an operational error on the drivers part.They do have override functions (Manual input shifting) and there are times when this is advisable.If they surge excessively when shifting there is a problem with calibration somewhere.

I absolutely hate them when inching forward or backwards.Like when docking or coupling to a trailer.I believe some of the new types are better but my pet hate is that with the clutch less variety they assume you are wanting to stop and disengage drive when you are just wanting to idle in granny/low reverse.

We had to rebuild a Astronic (as they are called here) 16sp at the same time we were rebuilding the equivalent 16sp manual version. The inner parts were very similar except that the automated transmission parts were fewer and simpler as they did not incorporate synchronizer assemblies.Parts for Manual = +-$2000-00 equivalent parts for automated =+-$16 000-00.They are more complicated so there is more to go wrong.I'm talking about sensors and electronics.The type of thing only experts with specialized equipment can repair.

I still prefer a manual transmission but just by a little bit.With the lack of experienced drivers we have and the improvements with automated I predict it will soon go the other way.

 

six...but whoooooze kounting?

 

oh well, 1.3 million miles exp., with 1.2 million in an autoshift, love it, hate it, after a day or two you get the hang of it, within a week or two you figure out it's quirks, then get your ### down the road and stop listening to the old timers who hate change. Oh and as far as mtn's, a significant portion of my miles is running the Rockies with that autoshift, again, the old timers will tell you one thing, the reality is, an autoshift is the exact same trans as a manual, only shifts are controlled by an X and Y solenoid with two modes D or M. D is the autoshift mode where the computer does everything, M is manual mode where you control the shifting via buttons on the shifter.

As for jakes, my jake has 3 settings, off/low, med. and hi. I generally leave it in med. mode unless I'm bobtail then it's off/low.

 

fill me in im oblivious seriously

 

Just wait until you lose your autoshift job and have to drive a manual shift transmission, like the rest of us.

You will be run over by old-timers like me, who have spent lots of time using REAL DEAL truck transmissions, not your puny little auto-shift, P-O-S break-o-matic, very expensive, tranny-missions.