Manual vs Automatic Transmissions

I should have stated open wheel racing, as your picture eluted too.
From F1 website.
The gearboxes of modern Formula One cars are now highly automated with drivers selecting gears ‘seamlessly’ via paddles fitted behind the steering wheel. The 'sequential' gearboxes used are very similar in principle to those of motorbikes, allowing gear changes to be made far faster than with the traditional ‘H’ gate selector, with the gearbox selectors operated electrically. Despite such high levels of technology, fully automatic transmission systems, and gearbox-related wizardry such as launch control, are illegal - a measure designed to keep costs down and place more emphasis on driver skill. Transmissions - which must have eight forward gears, the ratios having been chosen before the season - bolt directly to the back of the engine.

Who's guessing now, my friend?

 

I guess it's me!! :-\ Last year they had a launch mode that, tho not actual "launch control" (i.e., wheelspin control), allowed them to accelerate all the way up thru this gears without using the paddles. The capability is still there, tho.

 

I guess I'm not following along. My truck I put it in drive and mash the throttle and go. No paddles, no shifting, no clutch. There is a paddle if I choose to go into manual mode.

 

Sorry, we got distracted a bit, back on topic!

 

It was just a history lesson for the dinosaurs.

 

I hear insurance companies are giving better rates to automatic trucks for this reason then they are to manuals now too.

So let me see:

Autos get better gas mileage.
Autos are cheaper to insure.
Autos are safer since the driver can concentrate just on the road and not shifting.
Autos are easier to train new drivers on.
Autos cause less driver fatigue.

Good luck finding a manual truck used in big rig otr trucking in 5 years.

 

That is my problem with Learning on a auto, it limits your future choices!

 

I think new students (people that have never driven a semi before) should start on automatics for at least a year so they can concentrate on the fundamentals of driving. Watching for traffic, reading signs, checking mirrors, looking for low bridges etc. once they have that down then put them in a manual and let them learn that since they should have the other basic stuff down and will be more relaxed while driving.

 

So training should be over a year long ?

 

No I didn't say that. But yes it really should. And 5 years before you can be a trainer.