Why Not Automatic?!

i dont see the big deal about operating a manual in traffic. if there is traffic you pick a low gear and you just idle along. if speeds increase, grab the next gear. no big deal. i have never driven an auto but i hear they get better mpg and are really good at going down grades as they are always in the "right gear" so if its true about the better mpg, and if you are an o/o, why not automatics?

 

I don't have any problem backing up.My Volvo I-shift can back up gentle enough to move just 1 hole on trailer slider.

 

I will take my cookie with macademia nuts please
just didn't fall off the turnip truck is all i was saying
how many of those could you drive tommorow morning

 

Mr.Striker,i'm glad you liked you automated manual.

The reason for my post was to show to some that there are 3 different systems and that those work on very different platforms.

The part you didn't like was this:

Correct?
What i said is right as in Europe nobody offers that kind off gearbox anymore.
And i do feel that those type off gearboxes will be phased out in time.

 

Im told the newer autos can hold a gear with no accelerator input.
I have driven in trucks with I-Shift and have long admired them.
The issue I have with the ZF and Geartronic units we have is this.
They disengage the clutch the moment you lift the accelerator.
Then to get moving you have to accelerate a bit.
On hooking up etc you are usually in the lowest gear in idle with no accelerator input.
With these older autos you had to have some accelerator input and left foot on the brake to do it smoothly and gently.

 

king Q,the ZF is no longer sold in North America.

For the hook up and bumping the dock ,there is the thurtle setting on the ZF.
I do know that once you get the feel for the system it works fine.
As to having your left foot on the brake...........i don't need to do it.

For those that don't know,thurtle setting on a ZF/Meritor Freedomline is like having the clutch half engaged on a manual gearbox.


As with any system,be it a manual or automatic/automated,as a driver you need to learn how your truck reacts.
There isn't and there will never be a system that is foolproof.

When all is said,you still have to DRIVE a truck.
Even with automatics/automated gearboxes ,you are a DRIVER which means using your SKILLS!

And lets face it,there are and allways will be people out there that have no bussiness driving a truck.

 

I think the bittom linrle for the OP is that at present, it will still be very beneficial to learn to drive a manual. The choise of what you will drive, auto or stick, will be made by your employer, not you. It will be more beneficial to be able to drive what they have.

Your instructor prerty much sounds like a class A jacka$$. Keep in mind, all you need to learn from him is how to pass your road test and get your CDL. Whichever company hires you will out you in some sort of training program amd teach you to drive a truck. They will make sure you can handle their equipment before cutting you loose in it. It ain't cheap and they need to a) protect their investment, and b) limit their liability.

Just work on getting the basics down now. It's a life long learning process.

 

Sounds like to each his own on this issue. I drive both, 5 and 6 speed autos in the Guard, and 10's and 13's in my day job. Have to say, I like the autos better, less work, less fatiguing. I'm getting older and having left knee problems which I believe is directly caused by the heavy clutches in big trucks. The Eaton autos are a little harsh shifting when bobtailing or empty, but but smooth as silk when your loaded.

 

Some companies still road test you even after you had school, and if you can't get it into gear. They might not even hire you to be trained. So You better be good enough to pass the road test at the company who will train you.

Learn the way the man wants you to drive. Now being yelled at is better then running over a car. I hardly ever downshift I stop faster if I put it in neutral. Some will say you coasting. If I have enough time I down shift if not I coast. You are going to throw out a lot of that stuff you are learning in truck driving school out the window after about a week or 2. Like double clutching nobody does that but trainee's. Also most of those trucks in truck driving school or old and the clutch is hard. You will get in one of these new trucks and you can barely touch the clutch to do what you have to do. If you are at the right rpm range the stick goes in and out with no problem and no clutch. Now if you are being road tested you can act like you are doing it to keep the dude quiet. Shift by the sound of the transmission. It will tell you to shift or down shift as well as speed. Here's something easy to remember when down shifting or shifting in general.

This can work on 10 speed and 9 speed.

55(5+5) 10th gear
45(5+4) 9th gear
35(5+3) 8th gear
25(5+2) 7th gear
15(5+1) 6th gear

Anything under 15 go on the low side. 5th gear real slow 4th gear. You should be able to start in 4th gear if you are pulling an empty trailer. But I'm sure the school probably wants you to start in 3rd or 2nd. I normally start off in 3rd when I'm loaded or 2nd if I'm on an incline and I'm loaded. Most trainers are very impatient and that's why I won't train because I'm not patient enough. So just deal with the yelling dude you will be done in no time, and you will see how easy the stick is. When you don't have anybody yelling in your ear.

My left knee gets stiff every now and then, and I am glad there are automatics when old lefty gives out. But until then. We stickin to the Stick baby Yee haw.