Why Not Automatic?!

and I'm still calling BS, $7,000 because the electronics failed, there's more to this story than your telling

 

really, how many automatics have you driven? all the ones I've driven detect wheel slippage via an ATC, if they can't get traction they will default to nuetral. M-drive Macks and I-shift Volvo's default to nuetral if they detect to much wheel spin, same with an autoshift, they will either go into Nuetral or they will stay in gear but the computer takes the trans out of gear and leaves it flashing.

 

In 5 years time the WHOLE process of driving may be made to be "automatic":

 

Think you better go to Volvo and ask to order the top end of a 12 speed auto, they wont have it in stock so you will have to wait a day or 2 for it to be flown to you. There is no more stupid.

 

Stryker go to Volvo and start asking the cost of things then come back and respond. I dont care for automatics, dont need the higher cost I really dont give a rats ### what other people are buying. End of it the more electronic crap they put on truck the higher the maintaince costs will be you dont need a degree in rocket science to know that. But it seems you enjoy to argue so please continue your BS rants.

No not done with you. The shift motors you are calling are air operated they are servos, not exactly the main component of the top end is it ? Now that dirt hauler you are talking about I bet when he started you will have us believe he did not have to build the business, he just went to the dealership ordered 50 trucks and shazam he was a company owner, doesnt work that way doorknob. Yes I now have 7 trucks will be buying another one at the end of this year. Now without some history of the Mack truck salesmen can you tell us just how many trucks your own outright, and how many people you have working for you ? How many besides the one you drive do you own have to maintain, purchase the insurance ect ect ect ? So without any more stories regarding other companies please do tell us your long winded stories just put people to sleep.

 

That's true, also people don't realize the autos can be driven manually, if you need to knock it into neutral you can with the touch of a button or moving the selector lever a notch, putting them back in gear is done the same way and in fact re-engaging a gear is faster than a manual in most cases. Driving an auto in bad weather takes the same thought process as driving a manual, the actual shifting is just easier and in boxes like the ishift or mdrive just as fast if not faster than a manual, in fact Volvo have just launched a double clutch version here now, haven't driven one yet but I'm told shifting is unbelievably fast, autos def are the future

 

Nothing wrong with the way they shift, and you can shift them manually. you have a bit more experience with them over on your side of the pond than here. My wife loves hers, and she has not had any problems with it. It is still new and covered. See what she thinks after it is not covered anymore.

 

I think we can all agree that the basic technology is available for an effective automatic transmission system for big rigs, the only debate is if what is in current rigs is up to snuff.

I think if the industry made a commitment to go automatic it would put the money into the market for manufacturers to be sure to improve the technology. The debate will be over if autos are good enough, soon enough, just a matter of time.

 

A few times in my life driving, on snow, ICE, Manual trans, I can throw into neutral, but never drove a Auto on ice, but do know, that the Auto Trans WILL KEEP Those Wheels Turning, and cause a Jackknife. Plain and Simple, on ICE, AUTO trans, keeps the wheels moving, unless you brake, but on ICE, then Your Screwed. AGAIN, on ICE, in emergencies, I do not want the tractor wheels to keep pushing me forward on ICE. Just for the heck of it, I drove one of DEM Auto Trans, and when I came to a stop, the Truck would jump forward when it AUTOMATIC LY downshifted. AGAIN, now what would that do on ICE.

 

The wife's truck has a clutch pedal, the one I had to replace the top end of the gearbox didnt it has a clutch like a snow machine. Had to give it revs just to get the darn thing to move. Drove that thing for a year and had enough traded it in on a new unit with a 13. I didnt have much for problems on ice. but then I do alot of heavy work with my personal unit, funny how alot of weight changes the dynamic. Hate to hit black ice with one empty would be like a carnival ride.