Most of the fleet I get to drive have automatic gearboxes but there are times when for all the benefits you just have to give a lead. Most often in undulation terrain when the sensors don’t see the next hill. Put the begger in the gear below before the revs drop to low and pick up the top of the green band to get the better torque. I’ll also hold a gear down when lugging nicely rather than change up and loose momentum.
Okay.
I couldn’t agree more mate. He went that way <------->
I see Batman’s around again 
It sounded better in my head than it read on screen 
I sometimes opt for the manual option on the gearbox rather than let the auto make the choice, mainly when I can see what is coming up and the truck sensors can’t. Ho hum time for the medicine aka alcohol.
Wiretwister:
It sounded better in my head than it read on screenI sometimes opt for the manual option on the gearbox rather than let the auto make the choice, mainly when I can see what is coming up and the truck sensors can’t. Ho hum time for the medicine aka alcohol.
as soon as I’m up to speed its auto to Man CC on then just flick down when I need to so the auto box dot have to think and cack its self going up hill
From your first post I think you may have over prescribed your medicine tonight. We’ll let you off as it’s the weekend.
I seldom drive an auto and I don’t like then tbh.
But when I have I use the box in a similar way to nick. Cruise bores me though
m1cks:
From your first post I think you may have over prescribed your medicine tonight. We’ll let you off as it’s the weekend.
Is it? Oh ■■■■!!!
Tipper Tom:
I seldom drive an auto and I don’t like then tbh.But when I have I use the box in a similar way to nick. Cruise bores me though
hmm 
Hmmmm?
Hmmm.
I use “my” auto DAF in manual mode all the time. I despise auto 'boxes.
Rhythm Thief:
I use “my” auto DAF in manual mode all the time. I despise auto 'boxes.
I did the same with my last wagon (MAN); It was like having an extra 50bhp and it didn’t affect fuel figures. The only auto I’d totally trust is Volvos’ I-Shift.
I tend to leave my MAN TGX in auto 99% of the time, then sometimes when I’m having a play with the box, I forget that I’ve knocked it into manual & only notice when the revs have dropped to about 200/stall.
Caught me out a couple of times, co’s there’s no Clutch/‘Get me out of Jail’ option as you slow down for a roundabout & you just have to let it stall because she wont change gear at very low revs.
Just out of interest, what would happen if I turn the dial to neutral while she’s still in 12th doing 200 revs ?
Would the Gearbox question my Parentage ? or would it simply drop out of gear ?
I hav’nt tried it yet as I don’t want to turn the Cogs into Custard
I almost never use the manual option. The transport gods gave us autos for an easier life, and that’s what I have. To be fair though my ishift is a work of genius, in 14 months driving this lorry I don’t remember it making one mistake. The Scania made several a day.
Unless in a Volvo (probably Renault too, haven’t driven one for some years now) i use manual all the time loaded, mainly for maintaining smooth progress especially on hills and at junctions and stopping the damned gearbox changing continually for no reason, the fuel savings are a useful bonus due to the lower overall RPM, as is being able to control engine braking whilst using the exhauster properly leading to much reduced brake use.
Usually leave it in auto empty until up to speed, when again locking it in manual stops it changing gear for no good reason, exception for Scania as they respond so well to manual input that they are better driven manually all the time…mind you they’re so bad in auto that you have to drive them in manual unless you’re already bald… 
I’ve had a Renault Premium with the Volvo driveline for 2yrs now and I’ve never felt the need to use the gearbox in manual mode much in that time. Even on the rare occasion when the box makes the wrong gear selection, it sorts itself out instantly. Not like other trucks where it hangs you out in neutral for a few seconds while it decides what gear it wants, leaving you with no drive.
Still got plenty of christmas sherry left then…