Learn on a manual or automatic ?

How important? Well very important to learn on manual. Just for the simple fact that if you ever decide to stop going over the road, you most likely gonna need to know how to drive a manual locally. Also, if you take test in automatic, your license will have restriction limiting you.

 

Always learn on a manual. It makes you well rounded, and it's an easier transition from manual to auto. Ive gone back and forth in my career with no issues. If you have an auto restriction, you'll be fairly restricted...pardon the punch but it's mostly megas that will look at you. There are local jobs that use autos depending on where you are. I worked for 7up/Snapple and they had 3 manuals and I believe 6 autos

 

Avoid the restriction, go manual. Yesterday was my classes first day shifting and within a few minutes everyone had the hang of it. Double clutching, up shifting and down shifting are not really that difficult.

 

Yes, try to train on a manual. Even if you only drive autos in the future, that knowledge can come in handy.

I am currently driving a Mack Pinnacle with the M-Drive 12 speed automatic (or whatever fancy name they call it), but I do have the option to go into manual mode or I can have it in auto and still bump it up or down a gear or two as I see fit. Sure, I can just put it in D and forget about it, but there are many times when I will manually select a “better” gear to either increase fuel efficiency or performance, depending on the situation .

Also, I can greatly increase the effectiveness of the engine brake if I manually downshift faster than the computer would. In sudden stop situations that comes in handy.

My point is, most autos are “programmed” to acheive maximum fuel efficiency at all times, and this can have a negative effect on acceleration and braking performance. having some knowledge about operating a manual transmission can help you get better performance out of your auto transmission when needed, without destroying your truck or completely tanking your mpg’s.

 

Never start a career taking the easy way out. Learn the manual then enjoy the auto.

 

Definitely learn manual.

Only automatics ive driven are Volvo. They’re beautiful. Never drove it in manual mode. Did learn it well enough to manipulate gears, engine brake, in mountain driving. Was like playing a piano duet, with a really good partner. But you gotta learn it.
I did do better keeping off my brakes with the auto, than I now do with my 10 speed manual.

 

I deliver fuel...I'm one of two guys that doesnt slip seat. Why? Because nobody can/wants to drive a manual. That's worth learning manual by itself.

 

Always learn manual. The company you start out with might be auto for the moment. Yet it doesnt mean they will always have that. You might find one day that you are in a rented truck and it has a stick. What are you going to do? Go into the office and tell the DM you dont know how to do your job? You darn well know what the DM is going to say. Get out there and get the job done or leave. Once you leave, there will be many more companies that wont hire a automatic only.

Manual is easy. When in heavy traffic, dont race upto the next bumper. Pick a gear lower that allows the truck to keep rolling. Yes people will cut in front of you, yet your still rolling.

 

Hmm, can you even get a Volvo with a manual today? Probably about as rare as a Pete 359 with an automatic.