streaky:
Why the F don’t we have manual boxes still then?
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Fuel economy basically. Manufacturers fit them as they are in the business of selling trucks and nowadays fuel economy is a major factor in fleet purchases. What they have done is cater to the lowest common denominator in as much as a poor driver driving an automatic will achieve better fuel economy figures than he/she would driving a manual, whereas a skilled driver would return higher figures driving a manual. With the proliferation of “bottom end” drivers it makes sound financial sense to spec autos.
streaky:
Why the F don’t we have manual boxes still then?
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Fuel economy basically. Manufacturers fit them as they are in the business of selling trucks and nowadays fuel economy is a major factor in fleet purchases. What they have done is cater to the lowest common denominator in as much as a poor driver driving an automatic will achieve better fuel economy figures than he/she would driving a manual, whereas a skilled driver would return higher figures driving a manual. With the proliferation of “bottom end” drivers it makes sound financial sense to spec autos.
If only there was a way of them to get drivers not to lose the odd tank!
And yes, you know EXACTLY what I mean!
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.
Good post, read and learn guys/girls
I also don’t get this mentality of driving an auto in manual - why would you?? Let the engine and gearbox work, sit back and lap it up. Hope I never drive another manual again.
Call me old fashioned, but I prefer a manual 'box rather then all the auto 'boxes. Simply because you can’t replace that same “feeling” you get with a clutch, the only one that comes near it is the Volvo 'box, all the rest is sh…
And I’m no stranger to the auto 'boxes, I reckon the experience with the first arsetronic got me thinking twice about not having a third pedal and a gear lever.
The first opti ■■■■■ 'box of Scania wasn’t much better, took ages to shift to another gear it seemed.
I was always quite happy to get back to me old wagon with a proper gearbox, wouldn’t trade it for anything else…
Or the other manufacturers could pull their finger out, and catch up with Volvo!
It’s all very well saying there is a knack to driving say a MAN, but let’s face it, it’s crap!!!
I guess you can argue that if you do drive it using the “knack”, it MIGHT be more fuel efficient than say the Volvo, but do we know that for a fact? And if people are instead choosing to put it in manual, then the possible effort that went in to designing it that way goes out the window.
Problem is too many ‘drivers’ think that ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ is a training video for auto boxes - start engine, engage gear, floor throttle, release handbrake! If you let them get on with it their way they are fine like an old Fuller or David Brown. Don’t rush 'em.
ajt:
How do you do that when it only goes up / down one at a time in manual mode? (Merc MP4)
As Roymondo correctly states a double pull on the stalk will make it shift up two gears at once, you can even grab three or four at a time if you so desire. Also on approach to roundabouts etc holding the stalk fully down until you are ready to hit the loud pedal will force it to preselected the appropriate gear for the conditions.
Radar19:
My Renault will jump two gears if you pull the lever down all the way, if you tap it then it only drops one gear.
That’s cos it’s pretend French haha
My Scania Opti-DoAsItLikes sometimes has a mind of its own depending what mode it’s in
AP approaching roundabouts and no matter what you do with stalk jumps down seriously low gear enough to feel as if your standing on brake!
I think the thing is with any truck box is get use to how it all works and try different method till one suits you!
I hated the opti but now I’m used to its nuances I quite like it.
Still think though it’s crap in a city stop go as selection still iffy if you touch clutch a bit too quick and then it loses plot , as I do then when I want to go and it doesn’t !
Anyway Radar , without trawling posts did you pass CE?
I thought I would hate the auto and I did for a few weeks, now I love it. 11 plate scania two pedal, use your engine braking correctly and anticipate the road it’s smooth and quick off the mark, AP on mine helps holding gears but if you feel the engine slightly labour and you want a lower gear (in auto mode) just flick the stalk forward to knock down a gear and your away no dramas.
One gripe is reversing when the engine is cold, even in RM mode, it’s all or nothing, I swear one day I with smash the pin off the trailer
What is it with drivers who can’t figure out how to use these auto boxes properly. 99% of the time a slight tap of the gas pedal before stopping gets the box ready for the off even if you’re only stopped for a second. What’s so hard about that? Even with AS-Tronic the box works fine when driven properly and if you don’t time when it changes gear then drive it in manual mode and for those with manual mode locked out its a case of put up and shut up
If you’re stationary at a roundabout and there’s a potential opportunity to go you can always hold it on the park brake and get a little bit of bite on the clutch then release the parking brake to be straight out of the blocks. As long as you’re not silly with the loud pedal it won’t wear the clutch a great deal.
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?
thats why i only have Manual gear box. Autos are utter rubbish
Momentum is king. Nice and slow on approach and keep her moving.
It doesn’t help half the time with knobs being in the wrong lane and/or failing to indicate, however ’ selective ’ use of commanding the road can eradicate this issue.
