why does everyone seem to dislike auto trans

Pay attention, most of the drivers who bad mouth auto's have either:
1. never driven one and are talking out their butt,
2. driven one for less than a week, and did so with a mind closed so tight oxygen couldn't escape,
3. are telling you things based on what they heard from their brothers girlfriends bestfriends sisters cousin who thinks they may have seen their fifth cousins great Aunt attempt to drive one and failed.

I have 350,000 miles exp. with manuals, 1.4 million in autoshifts, and 5,000 in a Mack M-drive. All this exp. running the Rockies in all weather conditions, and loads ranging from empty flatbeds to 83,000 GVW. Everyone is different and requires it's own skills. Driving a manual, well, quite literally any ape can do it. Clyde (of Every Which Way But Loose fame) the Orangatan was taught to drive a stick shift. To drive an autoshift truck requires patience , skill, and common sense. To drive a fully auto truck, requires the same, but it also requires a little bit of tech savy and using your brain, because sometimes you have to think 3 steps ahead of the computer, especially in mountains and during winter.

One of the gripes from the anti-auto crowd is slamming into docks, you know, I've slammed into docks in every truck I've ever driven, generally because I was overzealous with the throttle or not paying attention. Never once did it have anything to do with the transmission in the truck. DO automatics and autoshifts manuals fail, sure, so do manuals. My company has two maunal equipped Frieghtshakers and 9 autoshift equipped Macks. Both of the freightshakers are on their third clutch, one has had the trans rebuilt three times, neither one has a million miles on it. 7 of 9 Macks have the clutches replaced once, two have had the trans rebuilt, all have between 350K and 600K miles. Everyone of these trucks is driven under the exact same conditions, we don't play favorites. My previous Mack had 978K on it when we traded it in, all on an autoshift trans, the clutch was replaced at 650K when the clutch brake failed, since the trans was out the company replaced the clutch at the same time to save the trouble down the road. The same truck is still on the road, now has 1.3 million miles on it.

 

i dont have any trouble slamming docks but hooking up slamming a kingpin has been done more then once

 

I have always driven a manual, but I did try an automatic for about two weeks. I was broke down 4 times with problems with the transmission. Had to be towed 2 times. Not fun at all. I will never drive another automatic again. I just don't think big trucks and automatic transmissions mix.

 

I think all new drivers should master a 5X4 before leaving the yard.

 

u would have to explain to most of them what a 5x4 or quad box is don't you think

 

I drove automatics for 6 years. All major makes, freightliner, volvo, peterbuilt, and international. Trucks ranging from 1997 to 2011. All different mileages from new to nearly 600,000 miles on them. mostly between 300,000 to 550,000. Included autoshift, which has a clutch pedal for starting and stopping and then ultrashift with no clutch pedal at all. Never in 6 years had any problem in any of the trucks with the auto. Most driving included mountains, Rockies and Apalachians. Never had a minutes problem and always completely confident in the auto transmission. I trained on 9 speeds and 10 speeds but I never want to drive a stick again. Takes alot of work off the driver, especially in city trafffic and jams. Used the manual mode in mountains when i wanted more control. Then let the computer handle it most of the time. Saves wear and tear on the drivers knees and on the clutch. Love it Love it Love it.

 

There has been scientific reasearch linking the fact that the only human beings that will drive, and prefer to drive automatic trucks all have v@ginas.

 

hahahahahahahahahaha! that was funny i don't care who you are regardless of your view on an automatic.

 

Do you want to show off your lack off intelligence?

 

I drove a semi automatic and then a full auto way way back in the early 80's in the Army... the Semi was a peice of crap quite frankly a Caterpillar air assisted.peice or ceap. The full.auto was an Allison 5 speed and it easy pretty easy to adjust to. As others have said... backing into docks and hook ups take a small.adjustment.

Quitr frankly when floating gears to highway speed.it is pretty similar to the semi ajto I drove but as.others.have.pointed out... in city traffic and.construction zpnes an auto would sure be nice at times.