I drive in manual most of the time, but you’re still at the mercy of the computer to actually make it all happen! Poxy things! 
Generally I’m finding all us ‘proper truckers’ hate auto trucks. The problem as I see it is they ain’t a proper auto, they’re a manual with a clutch controlled by a black box and there ain’t no way a black box is ever going to be as good as a decent drivers brain.
I don’t see why I had to be brought down to the level of drivers that can’t drive a manual without playing tunes all day long. They should be brought up to scratch or get a job driving vans. Shape up or ship out.
spooky70:
I drive in manual most of the time, but you’re still at the mercy of the computer to actually make it all happen! Poxy things!
I don’t bother with manual mode much because it ain’t that much better. I usually forget it’s in manual and end up trying to pull away at lights in 10th gear which at best makes the truck make some truly horrific noises and at worst stall. You then have to put the stupid switch into N, switch the ignition off, start it which ain’t immediate these days then select D but if you don’t leave a long enough pause between starting it and selecting D it does nothing but rev it’s nuts off so then select N again…wait…then D and your away. BUT…for some reason it’s still in manual mode which you didn’t notice so you hit the limiter and have to pull away frantically at the right column stalk until you’ve got the right gear then push the collar to get it back into auto which makes it change back to an inappropriate gear before realising its mistake and going back to the f***ing gear it was in in the first place [emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35]
Anybody that’s driven a MeanAndNasty should be all too familiar with this kind of scenario.
nomiS36:
spooky70:
I drive in manual most of the time, but you’re still at the mercy of the computer to actually make it all happen! Poxy things!I don’t bother with manual mode much because it ain’t that much better. I usually forget it’s in manual and end up trying to pull away at lights in 10th gear which at best makes the truck make some truly horrific noises and at worst stall. You then have to put the stupid switch into N, switch the ignition off, start it which ain’t immediate these days then select D but if you don’t leave a long enough pause between starting it and selecting D it does nothing but rev it’s nuts off so then select N again…wait…then D and your away. BUT…for some reason it’s still in manual mode which you didn’t notice so you hit the limiter and have to pull away frantically at the right column stalk until you’ve got the right gear then push the collar to get it back into auto which makes it change back to an inappropriate gear before realising its mistake and going back to the f***ing gear it was in in the first place [emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35]
Anybody that’s driven a MeanAndNasty should be all too familiar with this kind of scenario.
Never had that happen in an MAN auto. I did however get stuck between ranges on a roundabout when I drive a 16 speed manual!
I drive a vo lvo auto with the i shift box&find it agreat auto box but every now&then it will change up&stick in a certain gear so i have to put it into manual&click the button&go up through the gears manully till i get into 12th & then switch it back to auto, it nevers sticks when changing down the box always sticks when changing up. I also drive a MAN with the auto box&it can be a bit harsh but it does have a gear in both drive&reverse that limts the revs so it is not as harsh but these are for use when shunting around etc.
nomiS36:
If your ‘lucky’ you’ll be using either a Renault or a Volvo! They’re about the best in my experience which is like saying herpes is the best of the STD’s.
ROFL 
nomiS36:
Generally I’m finding all us ‘proper truckers’ hate auto trucks. The problem as I see it is they ain’t a proper auto, they’re a manual with a clutch controlled by a black box and there ain’t no way a black box is ever going to be as good as a decent drivers brain.
I don’t see why I had to be brought down to the level of drivers that can’t drive a manual without playing tunes all day long. They should be brought up to scratch or get a job driving vans. Shape up or ship out.
^^^ I so agree with this…
I have not driven an auto-truck yet but I am ‘dreading it’.
Having passed my class 1 in 1992 I am a ‘manual driver’, but I am also on cars, I ‘detest’ automatic cars, they never know the right gear to be in 
so I imagine that auto-trucks will only be the same (or worse!!), I am ‘dreading’ driving one and I will on Monday as I have an assessment with Royal Mail and I’ve been told they use auto ones 
Dont get all this auto hate? I love em 
i wonder do i even have to open my mouth these days or can you predict what i am going to post about automatics ?
desypete:
i wonder do i even have to open my mouth these days or can you predict what i am going to post about automatics ?
No keep it shut - you only talk crap most of the time anyway!!
desypete:
i wonder do i even have to open my mouth these days or can you predict what i am going to post about automatics ?
Go for it, always good to hear a different opinion
Read the manual or chat to the blokes who driven them awhile.
Not all auto are equal, some are a bit rubbish.
For Volvo’s Hill Start Button, Kick Down, manual selection in auto, finally manual mode.
Get used to them, helps to fully use the features.
Find manual a novelty these days.
I’ve been tipping at Smiths the last couple of days (all new trucks are autos) and their Volvo drivers love their FMXs, the Daf drivers seem to rate them “poor” to “you get used to them” and it’s quicker to ask the MAN drivers what the pros are rather than the cons.
I think if you’re buying an auto, you need to spec it with slightly higher bhp than what you’d normally spec in a manual 'box. Smiths blokes reckon the contract hired Dafs would be alright if they were 440s instead of 400s, whereas my manual one goes well at a nicely remapped 360. 
The 400 bhp (allegedly) MAN auto I drove was outpulled by an old Daf 340. ASTronic? ASthmatic more like.
I personally don’t see the need for clever systems and switches that do this that and the other. A brain, gearstick and a peddle is all that’s required. However, I can see why some do like them, it’s horses for coarses. What does boil my p1ss is I’m not given the choice by the manufacturers, for example 50% produced auto and 50% manual.
Does Mercedes offer a manual 'box for the Arocs? Heard it’s a good tipper with a bad auto 'box.
For anyone who hasn’t driven a Scania opti-cruise, you don’t know what you are missing!
There is nothing better than a false neutral. Especially when pulling out at junctions/roundabouts etc.
You are just waiting for the abuse to start!
I had an old opticruise and it was terrible. Went back to Scania manual and it was a breath of fresh air. Then I was given a new Scania with the fully automatic gearbox with no clutch. Must say it’s excellent.
Toddy2:
desypete:
i wonder do i even have to open my mouth these days or can you predict what i am going to post about automatics ?No keep it shut - you only talk crap most of the time anyway!!
well since you asked nicely i will give you the benefit of my wisdom
its clear the drivers of today couldn’t pass a driving test in a manual as it was to hard for them, so they had to find a way to make driving a truck a bit easier for the new guys, the automatic filled that gap for the brain dead with ease.
the new guys couldnt find there way around the country either so there lucky they have sat navs as that has made there life that bit more easier
i dont see the difference today between a kid driving a dodgem car on the fun fair, or the guy out now driving automatic trucks, just put your foot down on the pedal and away you go
dont even have to worry about low bridges these days as you can just run into them and blame the sat nav for the mistake
I don’t think dodgem’s are articulated Pete. I’m pretty sure you still need a fairground CPC though.
Module 2 is candyfloss from memory. If you do 3 modules in a row, you can choose any prize from the top shelf.
eagerbeaver:
I don’t think dodgem’s are articulated Pete. I’m pretty sure you still need a fairground CPC though.Module 2 is candyfloss from memory. If you do 3 modules in a row, you can choose any prize from the top shelf.
you actually make a good point i wonder how long it will be before you have to pass a test or sit a module to be able to drive a dodgem car ?
in this day and age of health a safety bollox i am sure someone in Brussels will be hard at work, trying to pass a motion to force dodgem car drivers to have to comply with Europe laws.
however i digress from the topic sorry about that as i would hate to offend, but to cut a long post short
automatic drivers are bell ends in my book