Drove an automatic for the first time!

Too early to form an opinion.

Was trained and tested on a manual day cab. Drove my first sleeper with and auto. I can see why drivers really like autos and why they don't.

Forward was okay 90% of the time. Reverse was a different story. I either crushed the dock pads or took me a grand old time getting there.

Comments? Keep it nice. I'm still a virgin

 

Backing seems to be the achilles of most autos.

 

Turn the hill start assist off when backing up

 

Be ready to use manual mode when descending hills so it won't shift on you unexpectedly.

Also when reversing I always check to make sure the trans selected R1 and not R2. It's been about 3 years since I was in a Volvo D13 and had a Shaker with the DD13 before that. I'll think on it and if I remember any more I'll try and post.

The one thing I like about them is they can down shift going upgrade faster than I/most can in a manual. Helps keep that momentum going.

 

I agree about the reverse. Someone on the forum helpfully suggested turning off the Hill Stop Assist of HSA switch, if you have one. It's a system that gives you some assist with braking if stopped on a hill. In the Freigthliner the switch is marked HSA. It may be called other things in other makes. Autos are convenient in stop and go traffic. For most other conditions I prefer the manual. But you drive what they give you, if you're and professional.

 

Never thought an automatic would be a problem in a truck. I have never driven a full automatic so the guidance will be helpful for me also when I get back out there in the next few months driving again. Way back in 2001 I had a Freightliner Century with a partial automatic as it had a clutch to start and stop with. I remember it had some problems shifting on hills but backing up it seemed fine(I also had the clutch to play with) in backing.

 

I’ve never had an issue with the Volvo or Detroits Eatons seemed weird backing up for sure.

 

There still are no full automatics. It is an auto-shift that still uses a clutch. They have gotten much better since 2001.

The best out there is the DD-15 paired with the DT-12.
They were designed to work as a single unit.
Backing takes a light touch and can still be a bit iffy at times.
Very steep downgrades will need some manual help as well. A couple in West Virginia come to mind.

 

Auto's are okay in city traffic if you have bad knees.


However.


Auto's should be illegal anywhere that gets snow on mountains. Any engineer that designs a truck with an auto that can't disable traction control fully in the snow should be shot. Preferably in the gut and left to bleed out. Maybe pour some battery acid on the wound as well for good measure. If he dies. He dies.

 

The Detroit DT-12 automatic has a special downhill mode call Desent Mode. You can set the speed you want to go downhill and set the cruise control and it will hold that speed. It will hold the exact speed you set it at. It not go 5MPH over the set speed before kicking on like regular cruise control.

You don’t have use manual mode not lot drivers talk about it. It can hold the speed you set truck at I believe they claim up to 80,000 LBS on at 8% grade without having to use the brakes. It’s fun thing to turn on and use.