Can anyone tell me about the Scania Opticruise gearbox system. ?
Is it good, bad, or indifferent ? Like it or not ? Is it better on fuel then the manual ? If you had experience of it, I’d like to know please. 
The Scania Opticriuse gearbox is a bit like Marmite 
Either you like it or you really hate it, The early system was terrible, It is basically a manual box with electronic control gearshift, It is a semi auto rather than a full auto, which I believe to be better when shunting because it retains a clutch pedal so slow speed work is easy,
Having said that I have not driven a fully auto system,
You use the clutch for pulling off and stopping but everything in the middle is clutchless, you can select auto changes or manual changes, by knocking the stick sideways left or right will produce an upchange or downchange, there is also a hill climb program wich will hold on to gears longer and revs higher before changing,
It is better on fuel as we have a large customer with opticriuse and manual trucks, the drivers are supposed to get a fuel bonus, so the opticriuse is preferred by the drivers
The opticruise system has been knocked before on the slow gearchange, which means pulling off at junctions or islands is a bit slow!, It is slow because the elctronics time the engine speed and gearbox speed exactaly to produce a very smooth gearchange, Sometimes the box can get confused but at the end of the day its a computer and I have not come across a computer that works correctly 100% of the time
But that has all changed now because the new R series has a revised opticriuse which is supposed to be greatly improved, I have not had the chance yet but will soon, also the little gearstick has been dropped and the is now on a stalk by the steering wheel,
Hope this helps you
Yes, thanks for that, Disco.
It is the R-series one that really interests me, let us know when you have a go in one please.
PS, I hate Marmite.
We have just got a couple of R series with them at asda skelmersdale.
been out in it once, very slow gear changes in auto, which if you let it do its own thing starts off in second low and works its way up 12.
better off in manual as you can flip lever and go up two gears at a time, also you can preselect the gear you want if say you sat at traffic lights you just flip manual lever up to the gear you want to start in, then a sign on the dashboard panel tells you depress clutch and away you go. I dont like this opticruise you dont feel in control of the truck like you do with a gear stick, but to each his own.
when given the keys to this truck i have asked twice for a good old donkey with a proper gear stick.
like nomad we have a couple of them at asda normanton
the system is a big improvement on the 4 series opticruise
i like the installment of the gearlever on the steering column
it is a lot faster down changing on roundabouts.i tryed to catch it out but it responded well
it is still slow on the take off ,and very slow to notice when you are solo or change trailers.
they would be better ditching there gearboxs and installing the as tronic and its manual couterpart.
the manuel is very notchy and the gearlever is still right next to your knee.why cant they have an angled gear lever for the right hookers.
i have been driving different examples for the past week and a bit,and it is a lovely wagon to drive,steering wheel is the right size,weight and angle.
the seat is comtable,plenty of leg room,gear lever folds back
near flat floor,good quality dash and switchs.it reminds me of a saab car.
the depth of the cab might be a concern to long haulers.you have to move both seats forward and fold down sections of the bunk to get full size.
at last scania have produced a decent wagon instead of the drivel that was the 4 series.
the engine pulls like a volvo too (420)
and still is a fuel miser
excellent job scania you might be able to justifythe “king of the road” title soon
jon
I saw some of the new R series today whilst tipping at Asda Lutterworth, and my inital impression is that I dont like em, but Ill know better if I get a chance to go out in 1, it would seem that Asda are putting em in at most of their depots
peirre:
I saw some of the new R series today whilst tipping at Asda Lutterworth, and my inital impression is that I dont like em, but Ill know better if I get a chance to go out in 1, it would seem that Asda are putting em in at most of their depots
they have got 196 of them
as you have not driven one how can you say you dont like them 
and there are only sutle changes outside
trust me they are good wagons
unlike its forbearer
jon
Well thanks, sounds like they can’t be all bad then, phew. 
And the 420 goes does it ■■, a bit different to the old one then.
My previous truck was an R reg 144 460 Topliner with opticruise and at the time was my first experience of any kind of automatic and to be honest it grew on me. Most people I’ve spoken to agree that if you are going to have an automatic that the Scania is the best. With it being the only one with a clutch pedal it seems to offer much greater control for manouvering with all the advantages of an auto for the open road plus a very responsive kick down on the accelerator and that excellent manual mode whereby the lever is pushed left and right for up and down.
We have 2 megaspace Mercs and 2 Magnums with full 2 pedal autos and they just don’t offer the same level of control at all and although they are newer if anything seem inferior.
milky bar kid:
We have 2 megaspace Mercs and 2 Magnums with full 2 pedal autos and they just don’t offer the same level of control at all and although they are newer if anything seem inferior.
Utter rubbish!!!
I have driven a full Auto Actros for a year now and not once did I ever feel that I didn’t have control. The new Actros 'box is much improved over the old model and you don’t get the jerkyness when reversing onto loading bays etc.
Just because it’s an auto doesn’t make it inferior.
And if you want full control,go drive a manual 'box.
Dan.
Dan. I am not making any coment on how much control that you personally might feel over yours, i am however expressing the opinion that the scania opticruise system is far superior [ particularly in terms of manouvering ] than any 2 pedal set up available.This opinion has been shared by all the other people i have spoken to who have driven both.
P.S. when i got my Magnum i did choose a manual as i think they are better again. Something else that is well agreed on at our place.
ive had my r series for a week now, its a 420 with opti-cruise and retarder, imho it is a brilliant truck, ive left it in auto all week with maybe half a dozen manual changes a day, it changes gear very smooth, its a bit slow off from a standing start with its block changes but it adjusts very well to the different loadings on the gearbox, it knows when you are empty or loaded and everything in between, coming into roundabouts etc when taking your foot off the brake it always put me in the correct gear for the situation, i love it and im now an auto convert, i like the clutch pedal being retained as it is helpful when doing slow manouvering ie backing under a heavy trailer, the new cab is a vast improvement over the 4 series, the bottom bunk is only 4 inches narrower than the old 4 series top bunk, i have twice as much storage space, a lower floor, ( with no gearstick in the way ) a very nice dash with driver info system, average fuel last week was 9.77mpg running approx 18 ton payloads, and that will only improve once it gets some miles under its belt.
you could say im very impressed and will be having another one when my 4series needs replacing, well done scania!
cheers
paul
Lets see a picture of your flashy new truck then paul
when i figure out how to get a pic on here i will lol
paul
I’ve never been in a opticruise Scania, only manual.
Over the last 3months, running in Europe and the UK, with all sorts of weights, from 44t down. I have been averaging 2.97… km/l. That is very close to 10mpg.
I drive a V reg 124 420.
The best auto gear box in a truck is opticruise by scania it still incorparates the manual clutch which they will never do away with gives you more control when reversing with less chance of mechanical damage unlike the magnum and other autos and would like to add scanias are the truck to have apart from the price!!!
Sorry guys, I just don’t see the point of having an 'auto 'box if you still need a clutch pedal. Either you change gear by moving your left foot and arm, or select your pulling away gear and let the 'box do the rest IMO it seems Mercedes have got it right by offering a full auto 2 pedal 'box,but then I would say that!!
I have no trouble whatsoever with the 'box in the Actros.
Beats me…(shrugs off with a dazed and confused look on his face)…
Well for your info they all have a clutch its just that scania like myself dont trust a machine with no seat in its pants to let it out! and a torque converter dont fit in a truck !
munibear:
Well for your info they all have a clutch its just that scania like myself dont trust a machine with no seat in its pants to let it out! and a torque converter dont fit in a truck !
i think you will find some wagons have torque converters.
some fire engines have
bin wagons
also specialist wagons
so get your info right
jon
if bin lorries and fire engines fit the opticruise subject then fare dooos but they dont pull 44 tonnes they are tonkers mate so no need to reply !