Junctions or roundabouts are clear when moving off but due to the slow uptake of gear find irrate drivers hanging on your tail end.
How do experienced automatic drivers deal with slow gear uptake?
global:
Junctions or roundabouts are clear when moving off but due to the slow uptake of gear find irrate drivers hanging on your tail end.
How do experienced automatic drivers deal with slow gear uptake?
Read the manual, learn how to drive it properly, it really is that simple.
I drive the much maligned 3 pedal opti cruise. Universally hated by those who do not know how to use it. I love it so much I asked for it.
If you have manual option on the box try it, it will take a while to learn the ratios and all it’s idiosyncrasies but you can make better progress than just leaving the box to it…the exception to this is Volvo (as fitted to Renault too) because the gearbox is that good, and generally the low speed torque of the engine suits it to a tee, that you are usually better leaving it to its own devices.
If you have a Scania then try the power setting, either MH/AH or it might be something else if the vehicle is recent, changes are faster in the H setting whether auto or manual.
Agree with F-reds, i prefer the three pedal to any of the others apart from Volvo, and to be fair the Scania responds instantly to manual input.
If you’ve got Arsetronic, MAN DAF Iveco, then bloody bad luck mate, its the worse gearbox i’ve had the misfortune to use since the day i first ever sat in a lorry, hopefully manual hasn’t been disabled, if it has then just turn the radio up and ignore the glares cos you’re going to cause mayhem at junctions with the heap whatever you do.
Juddian:
If you have manual option on the box try it, it will take a while to learn the ratios and all it’s idiosyncrasies but you can make better progress than just leaving the box to it…the exception to this is Volvo (as fitted to Renault too) because the gearbox is that good, and generally the low speed torque of the engine suits it to a tee, that you are usually better leaving it to its own devices.If you have a Scania then try the power setting, either MH/AH or it might be something else if the vehicle is recent, changes are faster in the H setting whether auto or manual.
Agree with F-reds, i prefer the three pedal to any of the others apart from Volvo, and to be fair the Scania responds instantly to manual input.If you’ve got Arsetronic, MAN DAF Iveco, then bloody bad luck mate, its the worse gearbox i’ve had the misfortune to use since the day i first ever sat in a lorry, hopefully manual hasn’t been disabled, if it has then just turn the radio up and ignore the glares cos you’re gyoing to cause mayhem at junctions with the heap whatever you do.
I will concede that the arsetronic box in the 10 plate MAN I drove was diabolical, doing nothing before lurching into the junction/roundabout, and coming to a virtual stop once halfway across the road… worse was trying not to look like an inept ejit when trying to reverse… (blind side reverse up a slope. )
But the arsetronic in my 65 plate XF is fine. Not quite as good as the Volvo, but much improved.
I like Arsetronic best when you go to pull away then some bleeder comes hurtling round the corner on two wheels so you have stop sharpish just as it starts to move…and it stalls, oh wonderbleedingful, what an endearing trait… 
I’ve heard the newer ones are better, however in our 65 plate CF’s they still have manual option but it reverts back to auto in about 30 seconds, but then they’re saddled with the 11 litre 440 which wouldn’t pull you out of bed and drink fuel like its going out of fashion.
I found it really is time for a bedtime read of the book, once you understand what can be done it will be a pleasure to drive, try as I might some people do not get it, by the same token I cannot understand phones other than making a call or a very badly spelt text.
I say let them carry on and be irritated behind you. They are probably irritated because they pulled out directly behind you when something was coming that they should have given way to and they wouldn’t have thought that an HGV may take longer to accelerate than they can. They probably pulled out thinking they could accelerate as fast as they normally would and slot into to the gap and be away before causing someone else to have to slow down for them. They shouldn’t be so impatient and wait until their exit is clear enough before following so close behind. I say ■■■■ em and let em get irritated!
global:
Junctions or roundabouts are clear when moving off but due to the slow uptake of gear find irrate drivers hanging on your tail end.
How do experienced automatic drivers deal with slow gear uptake?
This was a noticeable problem on early auto gearboxes, but I haven’t come across it for some time.
I think the trick is to slow down for roundabouts in good time, and then once you’ve finished on the brake, lightly blip the accelerator before you need to make the full demand for acceleration, because this prompts the gearbox to pre-select the appropriate gear for the new lower speed. This is certainly what I’ve found with MANs anyway. Even when the wagon comes to a complete stop (where you’d think the box would now know that it needs to select the appropriate gear for a standing start), it doesn’t seem to select the new gear immediately, but waits until you press the accelerator for the first time (or waits until you’ve been stopped for a moment, which can be too long a wait if you’re moving off again immediately and quickly such as into a gap at a roundabout).
I think where guys go wrong is that they’re on the brake all the way on the approach (during which the auto box holds on to higher gears), and then go straight off the brake and slam the accelerator down to get out, and that’s when you get left hanging while the box goes for the right gear for your current speed.
Basically, you have to drive like the Roadcraft system, where you’ve done your braking, found your desired speed, and are back on the accelerator before you begin your manoeuvre.
Also, I’ve noticed with the new Mercedes these can be slow to start off (and seem to have an accelerator that is less responsive to light pressure at slow speeds - which is much better for manoeuvring). Again, the remedy seems to be to apply full power slightly before your gap becomes clear, and by time the wagon has finished with its soft start, your gap has opened up and you’re ready to fly out.
hate it when you go to turn and the gearbox says NO,you press the accelerator and get clicking for 10 seconds before it jumps in with a neck jarring lurch,[64 plate merc]bxxxxy thing
Ignore what’s waiting behind, that’s not your problem.
Try manual as others have suggested. You are aware that pushing the loud pedal all the way to the floor on most wagons, ups the revs between changes making pull aways quicker aren’t you?
Sadly most busy roundabouts are a complete menace for us, we’re slow to pull away and invariably end up in front of some car driver hoofing round. There’s always gonna be someone who thinks you’re deliberately out there trying to kill them and you’ll get the fingers and horn treatment. As with so many things on the road, ignore it. If you can get across without stopping that’s the best way to do things.
During one of my training drives, I was waiting at Newark roundabout which, as we all know is total pig to cross pretty much all day. I was with my trainer and I asked him how he dealt with it. He said he applied the 30 second rule, after 30 seconds of waiting he just goes for it.
I’ll give this a go thanks.
Rjan:
This was a noticeable problem on early auto gearboxes, but I haven’t come across it for some time.I think the trick is to slow down for roundabouts in good time, and then once you’ve finished on the brake, lightly blip the accelerator before you need to make the full demand for acceleration, because this prompts the gearbox to pre-select the appropriate gear for the new lower speed. This is certainly what I’ve found with MANs anyway. Even when the wagon comes to a complete stop (where you’d think the box would now know that it needs to select the appropriate gear for a standing start), it doesn’t seem to select the new gear immediately, but waits until you press the accelerator for the first time (or waits until you’ve been stopped for a moment, which can be too long a wait if you’re moving off again immediately and quickly such as into a gap at a roundabout).
I think where guys go wrong is that they’re on the brake all the way on the approach (during which the auto box holds on to higher gears), and then go straight off the brake and slam the accelerator down to get out, and that’s when you get left hanging while the box goes for the right gear for your current speed.
Basically, you have to drive like the Roadcraft system, where you’ve done your braking, found your desired speed, and are back on the accelerator before you begin your manoeuvre.
Also, I’ve noticed with the new Mercedes these can be slow to start off (and seem to have an accelerator that is less responsive to light pressure at slow speeds - which is much better for manoeuvring). Again, the remedy seems to be to apply full power slightly before your gap becomes clear, and by time the wagon has finished with its soft start, your gap has opened up and you’re ready to fly out.
Yeah it still takes it’s own good time though, see my post above.
yourhavingalarf:
You are aware that pushing the loud pedal all the way to the floor on most wagons, ups the revs between changes making pull aways quicker aren’t you?
global:
Junctions or roundabouts are clear when moving off but due to the slow uptake of gear find irrate drivers hanging on your tail end.
How do experienced automatic drivers deal with slow gear uptake?
If it is a three pedal opti-cruise you can always re-set to a higher start gear, but you have to remember to cog down when you come to a dead stop. Having the higher gear as the start gear stops the thing changing down to too low a gear when you don’t want it to, but does mean you have to alter the gear manually to suit start conditions.
Rjan:
global:
Junctions or roundabouts are clear when moving off but due to the slow uptake of gear find irrate drivers hanging on your tail end.
How do experienced automatic drivers deal with slow gear uptake?I think the trick is to slow down for roundabouts in good time, and then once you’ve finished on the brake, lightly blip the accelerator before you need to make the full demand for acceleration, because this prompts the gearbox to pre-select the appropriate gear for the new lower speed.
I think where guys go wrong is that they’re on the brake all the way on the approach (during which the auto box holds on to higher gears), and then go straight off the brake and slam the accelerator down to get out, and that’s when you get left hanging while the box goes for the right gear for your current speed.
Basically, you have to drive like the Roadcraft system, where you’ve done your braking, found your desired speed, and are back on the accelerator before you begin your manoeuvre.
This has always worked for me. The CPU can’t foresee the future much, so if you’re braking it will think you want a lower gear next.
Anyhow, I drove an auto Iveco 12 tonner the other week and this method worked well. I find a very slight lift off the gas as it changes up is useful when moving off through the gears too - then return to power once the gear has engaged. Just seems more composed, but of course, it could be complete merde.
Rjan:
I think the trick is to slow down for roundabouts in good time, and then once you’ve finished on the brake, lightly blip the accelerator before you need to make the full demand for acceleration, because this prompts the gearbox to pre-select the appropriate gear for the new lower speed. This is certainly what I’ve found with MANs anyway.
This is the way , it is a terrible gearbox but not as bad as some make out once you know how to get the best out of it
yourhavingalarf:
IHe said he applied the 30 second rule, after 30 seconds of waiting he just goes for it.
That’s the Law.
Except on Footdown Friday’s, when it’s 15 seconds. [emoji106]
I know a driver who recently had a new MAN 8w on demo and said the auto box has improved over his 63 plate version.
Use manual? Take you ten minutes to get to 6th with all the gear changing one cog at a time.
Slow on approach and try and keep it rolling. Tends to be too fast on approach and the box ends up in too high a gear on take off.
I love the ‘stick it in manual’ comments.
Why the F don’t we have manual boxes still then? 
Have to say though the Ishift is the best you can get to it, unfortunately I drive a Merc, not the best but is better this year.
global:
I’ll give this a go thanks.Rjan:
I think where guys go wrong is that they’re on the brake all the way on the approach (during which the auto box holds on to higher gears), and then go straight off the brake and slam the accelerator down to get out, and that’s when you get left hanging while the box goes for the right gear for your current speed.Basically, you have to drive like the Roadcraft system, where you’ve done your braking, found your desired speed, and are back on the accelerator before you begin your manoeuvre.
If you are slowing down you should be using the exhaust brake which would hold a lower gear, but then when you come off exhaust brake I expect it changes up just when you would have wanted a lower gear ?