Shifting automatics for downhill

You can put the transmission into manual mode and downshift yourself on nearly all of them, then when you are at the bottom of the grade just click it back into auto while moving.

 

There is a display that tells you what gear it is in. It is no different than you shifting, it is all preparation. Being at the right speed before hand. I drove some of the very first ones out there on road tests and after taking a course on them. They are very impressive, I like the three pedal units a lot more than the two pedal.

 

I never had a problem with it. I ride the jake brake down the hill if I need to. No need to mess with gears.

 

That is one of the main reasons I hate the autoshift trucks! Scares the hell out of me in the mountains! I know that they are pretty reliable I just hate stuff I have no control over.

 

Control is only a feel good word for people. No one ever has complete control over anything at any time. Example, you are driving down the road and a tie rod breaks, someone rear ends you, steer tire blows, drop a driveline on a 9% downgrade auto or manual. In all these situation your control is beyond your control. Control is 100%, these things can happen at any time, so do you really have CONTROL. Yes I always see the glass half empty I know.

 

Before I start down Vail, Eisenhower, Genesse, Floyd, etc., etc., I put mine in manual mode (the sticker even tells you to do that) and slow to the speed I want to safely drop in based on the wieght, kick my jake on high, and let her go. Probably 50% of the time I'm in too low of a gear and have to upshift.

 

Better then having to downshift on a grade, manual or auto-S###.

 

It depends. You got ice, rain or snow, you take it slow. Just an old trucker's advice.