I’m sure it will become obvious when I start training but I’m curious as to how in an automatic truck the speed is controlled going down a long hill if a retarder is not used.
Been revising for theory exam and I understand, as in a car, you can select a lower gear to help maintain a steady speed and I remember the only car I’ve ever drove that was a auto 1st and 2nd could be selected independently. Is this the case with trucks or are retarders always on autos?
Thanks
If drive us in auto retarder will engage and maybe it will down shift to aid the retarder, if you do not wont it to engage the retarder select manual. 
bazstan009:
If drive us in auto retarder will engage and maybe it will down shift to aid the retarder, if you do not wont it to engage the retarder select manual. 
Depends on the truck - our Daf autos will not engage retarder/exhaust brake automatically if “Auto” mode is selected.
Renault’s OptiDriver AMT will downshift via the exhaust-brake retarder if you request it - simply flick/hold the retarder stalk to its maximum downward travel. It then puts itself into something called “MAX” retardation mode and will downshift to bring the engine revs into the blue area on the rev counter. Here’s where it’s supposed to offer maximum retardation. But even in “MAX” mode it’s still pretty crappy when loaded. Not sure how the other forms of engine/intarder braking offered by Renault react, but I imagine they might all offer some sort of downshift option.
Failing that just chuck the thing into manual and downshift yourself to aid the retardation if you feel the need. Just don’t downshift too far and end up sending the revs into the red! 
Moonpigdan:
I’m sure it will become obvious when I start training but I’m curious as to how in an automatic truck the speed is controlled going down a long hill if a retarder is not used.
Theres a big peddle next to the accelerator its called a foot BREAK 
nick2008:
Moonpigdan:
I’m sure it will become obvious when I start training but I’m curious as to how in an automatic truck the speed is controlled going down a long hill if a retarder is not used.
Theres a big peddle next to the accelerator its called a foot BREAK 
Or even a big pedal called a foot BRAKE 
nick2008:
Moonpigdan:
I’m sure it will become obvious when I start training but I’m curious as to how in an automatic truck the speed is controlled going down a long hill if a retarder is not used.
Theres a big peddle next to the accelerator its called a foot BREAK 
Come on Nick you don’t go down Haldon Hill every night on the foot brake surely, you’ll end up baking that bread again. 
Sir LANs-a-lot:
Renault’s OptiDriver AMT will downshift via the exhaust-brake retarder if you request it - simply flick/hold the retarder stalk to its maximum downward travel. It then puts itself into something called “MAX” retardation mode and will downshift to bring the engine revs into the blue area on the rev counter. Here’s where it’s supposed to offer maximum retardation. But even in “MAX” mode it’s still pretty crappy when loaded. Not sure how the other forms of engine/intarder braking offered by Renault react, but I imagine they might all offer some sort of downshift option.
Failing that just chuck the thing into manual and downshift yourself to aid the retardation if you feel the need. Just don’t downshift too far and end up sending the revs into the red! 
Cheers thanks for the info 
bald bloke:
nick2008:
Moonpigdan:
I’m sure it will become obvious when I start training but I’m curious as to how in an automatic truck the speed is controlled going down a long hill if a retarder is not used.
Theres a big peddle next to the accelerator its called a foot BREAK 
Come on Nick you don’t go down Haldon Hill every night on the foot brake surely, you’ll end up baking that bread again. 
Exhaust break an foot break mate changing down shoves the revs up sky high. Not got nice new stuff.
I must say the volvo was best commin down there
nick2008:
I must say the volvo was best commin down there
Volvo do a mighty fine retarder I must say.
I had a little button for my foot on my auto for my test And just took my foot off the accelerater made a very loud noise which I really liked felt like driving a f17 fighter jet lol 
It was a daf praise the daf auto daf was my first van when I was 17 lol won’t tell you what was in the back

bald bloke:
nick2008:
I must say the volvo was best commin down there
Volvo do a mighty fine retarder I must say.
Yep. Set up the CC and the retarder for a 3km over run, I didn’t have to touch anything.