Some drivers just never get the hang of driving an auto box - they try to drive it like a manual and complain cos it doesn’t work.
Had my 63 plate since new. It wouldn’t be my first choice, of truck, but I’m stuck with it.
It’s like any other different truck you get as a driver, you just adapt to it’s shortcomings and idiosyncrosies, and get used to it.
If you want your truck of choice you buy one 
I wouldn’t say I was happy with mine, but it’s ok and does the job, and I am getting good results on the computer jobby compared to others on the firm with the same motors, so I aint that much bothered to be honest, as I get paid to drive it.
bald bloke:
Actrosman:
Tossy gearbox aside, any other pilot of these things noticed they get through an alarming amount of bulbs, especially tail lights? Our 3 are keeping the Hella prices up atm!Yes a load of bulbs and for that reason i carry about 2 of everything although it’s mainly headlight bulbs with the occasional side indicator.
Spooky…had to change the N/S headlamp bulb last night before setting off (and lost one of the screws in the process) even after the day driver phoned me up on Friday afternoon (from Chieveley Svcs) telling me it had blown and he couldn’t find the ‘tool’ to unscrew the lens but assured me he’d do it when he got back…25mins away…lazy ■■■■■■
Santa:
Some drivers just never get the hang of driving an auto box - they try to drive it like a manual and complain cos it doesn’t work.
There’s an element of truth in this. While this gearbox has its faults I find it fairly pleasurable to use once it gets going. Manoeuvrability at slow speed is really good too which you don’t get on some auto boxes. I’ve got used to when I need to press the pedal to pull out on to an island.
Once cruise becomes active I click resume and let it do its thing. Our driver trainers say this wastes fuel and cruise resume shouldn’t be used. My fuel figures and Fleetboard score tell a different story.
I find hitting resume makes everything to fast !
Long presses on + button takes it up in 5mph steps .
Maybe this is what driver trainer meant ?
has the reliability and clutch life improved?
boredwivdrivin:
I find hitting resume makes everything to fast !Long presses on + button takes it up in 5mph steps .
Maybe this is what driver trainer meant ?
No, they mean cruise resume. I ain’t taking Fleetboard tips from a trainer whose score is lower than mine 
You can try this reset.
Step 1 – Turn the car to ON
Insert the key into the ignition and turn the key to the ON position. Do not start engine.
Step 2 – Depress the Accelerator
Put your foot on the Accelerator and press the pedal all the way to the floor. Hold the pedal in this position for five seconds.
Step 3 – Turn car off and release the Accelerator pedal
Put the key in the OFF position. Take your foot off the Accelerator pedal to release it.
Step 4 – Wait
Wait one to two minutes, and the ECU will reset automatically.
This might work, give it a go.
2 more bulbs tonight…blowing 'em in the cab now…passenger side night light and drivers side cab light (those that come on when the door opens). So, on my reckoning, if the others in the cab go in the next 6 months, the only ones that haven’t been changed will be the roof markers and front fogs! Oh…and those in the o/h locker!
For those who don’t know - the way to handle most auto boxes at roundabouts is to slow down as normal, and then, at the last minute, give the throttle a quick blip. This will make the box select the correct gear, ready for when you can pull into a break in traffic. Of course, if you stop completely, there is no need to do this - it’s just for when you can keep rolling.
Best way to approach roundabouts / junctions is to knock it down 2 gears manually ( stay in auto tho’ ) taking the slow input away from the truck .
We’ve had these Merc’s since they came out and have found this the best way .
Also found selecting manual on long climbs , dropping one gear as soon as you start climbing ( before the truck can think about it ) the truck will hold speed longer staying on the limiter rather than losing speed and dropping more gears as it does in auto . I use the A1 and A68 on a regular basis lots of up and down twisty roads , I stay in manual most of the time , I’m no slow coach and keep my foot planted yet still get good fuel returns … no truck computer can see and assess the road or conditions better than a driver. As said by others whats the point of autos if they cant keep up !!.
I’ve always found by taking my foot off the loud pedal it then allows the box to find the right gear.
Trying to force an automatic gearbox doesn’t work, giving it the opportunity to do the job it’s designed for does.
It had to go back into the main dealers during the week, to have some recall work done. They fitted a new control unit on the gearbox and downloaded some new software. Its still not brilliant but it has improved somewhat.
Cant believe it has taken nigh on 2 years for Mercedes to admit that there was a problem. In my opinion, it was a duffer from the start.
Stanley Knife:
I’ve always found by taking my foot off the loud pedal it then allows the box to find the right gear.Trying to force an automatic gearbox doesn’t work, giving it the opportunity to do the job it’s designed for does.
I use the retarder on its 1st stage when slowing from say 1/4 mile or so, e.g. When approaching the M48 toll, knock it down, let it do its thing a gear at a time and maybe knock it down to stage 2…normally drops into 5th as the barrier goes up and away I go…hate the way it skips 10th from 9th though…up into 11th and struggles (weight dependant and I don’t like to just bury my right boot!) so needs kicking down. As for pulling away from standstill in 1st, I’ve noticed all of ours do it until they’ve been running a bit then it seems the weight sensors pick a suitable gear and adjust accordingly
Why anyone would buy a Merc truck over any other manufacturer is beyond me, other than bean counters who look at the overall cost of the vehicle and want to save a few quid here and there.
Our Volvo’s are being replaced with these bags of excrement as has happened at a lot of our depots. I’d rather have a bruised 12 plate Volvo than a 17 plate Merc given the chance.
The ride is so uncomfortable over bumps in the road it borders on dangerous as it throws you about too much no matter how you set the seat up.
They are so gutless running at 44 tonne they are dangerous on large inclines in 2017, down to 30-35mph on inclines the Volvo would still be hitting over 40-45mph+.
The manual option has been disabled in them so you can change down or up a gear if you want, but can’t use the gearbox in manual mode at all.
Add to how slow they are and restricted to 52mph then overtaking is none existent pretty much.
In short, they are the biggest piles of ■■■■ I have ever driven and I would take an Iveco over these any day.
Add to the fact some designer thought “what colour for the interior, oh yeah beige/cream type colour that will work really well in a truck”, what a ridiculous colour for a working vehicle.
One good thing is the bunk ratchet back rest design, great idea but made by someone at school during DT or whatever they call it these days and lasts ab out as long as a ■■■■ before that will be broken.
I have absolutely nothing good to say about them, and most of the drivers I have spoken to hate them as well, I’m yet to meet many people who actually like them.
Sadly we are stuck with them so I have to get used to driving them or look for another job at somewhere that does not run these piles of dog ■■■■■■
52mph sounds like it’s in autoeconomy mode tbh.
Dav1d:
52mph sounds like it’s in autoeconomy mode tbh.
Yep makes me glad my Mercedes is still 56mph [emoji16]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Autoeconomy mode can be cycled to auto, or manual if you hold the button down, which give 56mph.
(Well, that’s how it was on previous versions)
Speaking to an owner couple of weeks ago, he’s got two and plans more, he has other premium makes on the fleet but reckons the Merc’s knock 'em into next week on reliability since eerie 6 has come on stream.
Actrosman:
As for pulling away from standstill in 1st, I’ve noticed all of ours do it until they’ve been running a bit then it seems the weight sensors pick a suitable gear and adjust accordingly
Definitely the case. Sorts itself out after a few junctions.
I’ve driven most of the modern boxes on the road and would rate the Merc box fairly highly. Probably on par with the Scania and whips the ■■■-Chronic.
Volvo will always be king though.