Automatics

How expensive are autos to maintain, versus a manual?

 

Ya dood, I got a mountain run and a new automatic out of the blue one day...No mountain experience, couple gnarly 13% ers and tons of 10's
You definately will always want to be in manual mode...Goin down can get crazy, you'll have to find THAT trucks sweet spot..start with the "go down in the gear you drove up in" method, and work your way up more and more as you go along...The new kennys engine brake will cut off, then come back on if theres either, too many rpms, too many mph's, or not enough weight, or if tire slip is detected...This sucks very much when your pointed down 13% with 80k on board to have that happen...I started down in 5th with the engine brake on level 2...by second week, I was in 7th level 3...It wants middle of the range rpm and mph...It doesnt like you being too high, or too low in the particular gear...
As an example....

I havent done it wet yet, terrified about it!!!....

Just dont think 2 super singles with e brake on em will be enough to hold me, Im gonna be on the brakes more than ever>>whole nother thread i guess...lol

 

Well for the volvo changing the transmission fluid at 500,000 was about 400 or so.

 

Wow. I can do my 18 speed and both diffs for under $400. And that is at the shop and not doing it myself. Myself, it is less yet.

 

Broad statements which says nothing about which oil is used.(price/quality/quantity)

 

How about Delo full synthetic, trans (50w) and diffs (75w90), all for $370 at a Mack dealership I use near my home. Even though I have a Freightliner, I use that Mack dealership for my all my oil and lube changes. Gotten lazy as I have gotten older. I bring my own motor oil to those changes but use their trans and gear lube. Mack and Volvo the same gig, so $400 is robbery if a Volvo dealer is charging that for just trans. And the charge I get is irregardless of trans size and diff size, so quantity of fluid is not a factor. Most AMT's and manuals are going to be within a few pints of each other. Same for diffs.

 

For the Ishift transmission you "can" do it yourself but then the issue of warranty comes in IF you are still under the 5 year or 750,000 mile warranty for Volvo trucks. Ishift transmissions and for mine meritor diffs are still warrantied. No record of oil changes then no warranty repairs perhaps. Ishifts transmission oil must be changed on or before 500,000 miles or no warranty. My front diff blew apart and had the work done. The dealership looked up my records and then went ahead with the repairs under warranty. No problems or questions. Also I keep forgetting this is in the US, not Canada. The bill was 330.00 ca. Since it was done at the dealership they used what is recommended for the diffs and transmission. After warranty is over I will do it myself but not until then.

 

geez almost half a million posts on this

 

Now this info is worth knowing.

 

So do you guys always go down in manual mode? If so, what gear? Will the engine brake on level 3 be enough on a 6% grade? It's a KW T660.