What do I need to know about automatic transmission trucks?

I think they should upgrade a cdl to a Phd and allow you to put a Dr. before or an M.D. after your name if you can operate a manual in this day and age.

 

I'm pretty sure everyone here knows exactly why automatics were developed and introduced back in the day and are so prevalent in the plastic trucks of today, the same reason why a new American can get a CDL and test out in their own home language.
Solely to increase the pool of future drivers and operate at reduced costs. It makes it easier for companies to hire someone with no experience.
If you can drive a car you can operate a semi...
Keeps t/l rates cheap when you've got plenty of drivers whether company or o/o.

Although the PC answer is lighter, cheaper or more reliable.

 

they are all the same manual transmissions with hydraulically actuated clutch and servo actuated X Y shifter, truck won't start unless selector is in N, you can only skip shift over one gear (you can go 2 to 4, you can't go 3 to 6), you can "teach" auto how you want it to shift by running through the gears in manual a few times, it behaves differently loaded vs empty depending on what load it senses, if you don't want it to go crazy in city traffic or in bad traction just keep it in manual, you can one finger the gears with the same hand as on the wheel, auto likes to make you look dumb, but it only happens in the middle of intersections or in the middle of a yard

 

Yet another way to look at it: the vast majority of the time -- it's the same driver pay, but with FAR LESS work.

I have seen very few carriers that are willing to pay any genuine premium for a driver who's willing to shift gears with a floor-mounted stick -- vs using an automated tranny.

It is what it is....

-- L

 

I dove manual transmission and now automatic. I would not want to go back to manual. If it was my truck and I was paying for it, manual might be cheaper on repairs. I believe the Detroit transmission has 750,00 mile warranty

Backing up is little different like others said because no clutch to to ride. In stop and go traffic they are really good.

The Detroit Diesel automatic can to some cool things. It has Decent Mode and you can set the cruise control to a specific speed you want. The transmission and engine brake will work automatically to hold the speed you set. Basically it will downshift a gear or two. Then turn on engine brake hold the speed you set going downhill.

The engine brake is very strong because in stage 3 it will downshift 2 gears and bring engine RPMs up to 2100

 

Why is it every supporter of autos always brings up stop & go traffic?!... If you know how and when to shift gears, it's really not a big deal... You really only need to deal with the clutch. When you come to a complete stop. And even then kick it neutral right before you stop wait till you go to take off, push it in....there's either some really dumb or really lazy mofos in this industry if that's considered work!... I'm thinking a little of both!

 

Makes it easier for them to keep their flip flop wearing feet up on the dash. It’s just pure laziness or the fact they don’t know how to float through the gears They have to try to reason why their nerds

 

I loved the matched Detroit, but I'm a bigger fan of Volvos I-shift with the D13 at 500hp. This fat B flat out pulls.

 

Shifting gears is not a big deal, why would you not enjoy and use technology? Do you have air ride and power steering and a/c and cruise control? Automatic transmissions for truck is the same thing, I’ll take the new technology and enjoy using it and not shift gears. Plus the other little things it can do

i remember spending 2 hours going 2 miles to get thru GWB toll booth at NYC