finally rid of the autoshift. thank god

Apparently, yes. I suspect that the transmission is engineered to drop into gear if there is a failure. In other words, it is actively holding the clutch gap open and will drop it closed at the first sign of any problem, or driver activity on the accelerator or brake. I'm pretty sure I remember the auto I used to drive would drop back into gear if I touched either pedal enough to move it even slightly.

 

RPM should make no difference though. This is how I see it (and I could be completely wrong):

If your foot is off the pedal and the truck is pushing the RPM above the commanded speed from the pedal, then the computer (in my mind) wants to try and get engine speed back to idle. Only way to accomplish that is by injecting zero fuel. If you kick it out of gear and let it coast in neutral, the computer needs to inject fuel to maintain idle speed. See where I'm going with this? Takes fuel to keep the engine idling. Takes no fuel to coast in gear and have the truck keep the engine spinning.

 

The fuel gauge isn't what indicates that you're in neutral. If your tachometer drops to 5-600 RPM and/or the dash indicates N instead of which gear you're in, then that means it is dropping you out of gear and into neutral.

 

I believe that diesel engines will pump a minimal amount of fuel to the engine based on the RPM because diesel truck engines require fuel for lubrication on some moving parts. At 600 RPM, you need less fuel to lubricate than at 900 RPM, and the engine always requires fuel when the engine is turning, or something will burn up. Fuel pumps, cylinder linings, etc.

Any diesel engine geeks want to fact check me here? I am an ex steel mill mechanic, not a diesel mechanic.

 

Best of my knowledge it floats the gears.

Now onto the better mileage wether costing in gear or in neutral??
The hypermiler folks go to neutral and allow engine to idle. They achieve higher fuel mileage than I do so...

 

I know that some of them used to double clutch. A few of the drivers I spoke to who remembered some of the first autoshifters said that you could hear the double clutch cycle quite clearly. These days? I suspect at least some of the most modern designs float by simply synchronizing engine speed to the transmission speed in the new gear through fine acceleration control.

 

Only way to go into neutral is push the clutch in or take it out of gear . So what amount of premature wear on transmission and clutch happens when it’s in eco mode.. reason a auto can be better on fuel is in programming . A skilled driver can meet or beat the mpg If he CHOOSES too . Most don’t that’s why the myth of a auto being better persists ..

 

While I have not gone to CDL School yet. Happens in the next 90-ish days. Some schools, like crap RoadMaster only teach automatics. No Manuals. It's one reason I will not even consider them. I want my CDL to not show an auto restriction. I also want to do my 200 hours with the Mega's trainer in a manual. As I want to have enough time to be back to my good habits with a manual as I used to be in my youth. That said. When I go solo I do want to drive an auto. Not because I am lazy, as I am not. But prefer them over manuals. Especially when in stop n go traffic.

As for the auto shifts and hills. As I've already seen, you can simply put it in manual mode. Drop it down a gear, or two, and work it like you would normally. J brakes as needed. Issue solved. I'd have to agree that any liquid sloshing around is gonna through a confusion factor into an auto shift. As it's caused jerkiness in myself when walking or running with a large container of liquid.