5000 miles with a Volvo I-shift [Deleted]

[Duck]

Duck submitted a new resource:

5000 miles with a Volvo I-shift - A review by a driver in real world conditions

Auto-shift? Aren't those just for rookies?

Well yes, ...

Regardless of all the rhetoric about fuel economy, they only exist to enable lower training & entry standards for big fleets.

But that's another topic.

Two weeks ago I picked up a 2014 Volvo VNL 780 from where a company driver had left it and went on vacation. Normally they just have me recover abandoned equipment but I decided to haul freight with it during his vacation since he lives close to me & I won't end up having to...

Read more about this resource...

 

[Sinister]

Ive also always believed that auto's existed mainly to enable companies to lower standards.

But that's another topic...

 

[Injun]

Ive also always believed that auto's existed mainly to enable companies to lower standards.

But that's another topic...

Yet, more and more of the crusty old boogers who get them love them. WalMart is going auto. Haven't heard a bad word yet from any of their drivers. WalMart is not lowering its standards or pay because they're getting autos. It's still a PITA to get hired as a WM private fleet driver.

 

[Rigjockey]

I dunno. I drove one pulling a quad axle flatbed grossing 124,000 LBS. It was pretty good, It pulled like a champ, I never got stuck in the mud or ice in the lumber yards. The acceleration was good. There was no rollback on hills.
Other than it was boring as hell, The I shift was alright.

 

[Sinister]

Yet, more and more of the crusty old boogers who get them love them. WalMart is going auto. Haven't heard a bad word yet from any of their drivers. WalMart is not lowering its standards or pay because they're getting autos. It's still a PITA to get hired as a WM private fleet driver.

Walmart is not a typical large fleet.

 

[Duck]

Some old hands like them. I guess after 40 billion miles they've proven they're not idiots & have earned the automatic if they want one.

I dunno. I drove one pulling a quad axle flatbed grossing 124,000 LBS. It was pretty good, It pulled like a champ, I never got stuck in the mud or ice in the lumber yards. The acceleration was good. There was no rollback on hills.
Other than it was boring as hell, The I shift was alright.

I forgot to mention, .. this one DOES have roll-back on hills, which makes me two-foot it when starting on hills because I don't want to let it start rolling back & then dump power on it in the freakin' granny gear because freight will fall down. I give it about enough throttle to get it starting to engage, then release the brakes & gently roll on the power.

In a manual you're already using both feet.

 

[texan168]

Appreciate the article duck. I'm gonna be in one in a couple weeks and was wondering how they performed

 

[Mike]

Fingerless glove icon was perfect!

 

[Duck]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, ... I had a pink cigarette lighter those 2 weeks because my blue one ran out of fluid.

I just thought I'd toss that in there because somehow I think it's relevant to the fact I was driving a Volvo with an auto-shift.

 

[midwestbound]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, ... I had a pink cigarette lighter those 2 weeks because my blue one ran out of fluid.

I just thought I'd toss that in there because somehow I think it's relevant to the fact I was driving a Volvo with an auto-shift.

Getting in touch with your feminine side I see.....

 

[snohawke]

I drive a Volvo..Automatic..it sucks.. I had to take it in to shop today..they called I had to clean it out cause they are sending it to the main terminal for repairs..the accelerator I think is messed up..but a automatic takes the fun out of shifting gears...I still had to manuel shift cause it surge alot..so in order it not to do that..i shift manuel..but not the same as a gear in the floor.

 

[krelithous]

I drive a Volvo..Automatic..it sucks.. I had to take it in to shop today..they called I had to clean it out cause they are sending it to the main terminal for repairs..the accelerator I think is messed up..but a automatic takes the fun out of shifting gears...I still had to manuel shift cause it surge alot..so in order it not to do that..i shift manuel..but not the same as a gear in the floor.

pulling a lever back in manual mode and pushing and holding a plus or a minus button is not shifting and besides the manual shifter makes a good arm rest

 

[krelithous]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, ... I had a pink cigarette lighter those 2 weeks because my blue one ran out of fluid.

I just thought I'd toss that in there because somehow I think it's relevant to the fact I was driving a Volvo with an auto-shift.

what in the hell was you doing with a pink cigarette lighter you could have gotten another color

 

[snohawke]

Yes I know it dont.thats why it SUCKS...hitting a button is not fun...if they were to go back to manuel..most of all our drivers would find other jobs...not many knows manuel

 

[krelithous]

Yes I know it dont.thats why it SUCKS...hitting a button is not fun...if they were to go back to manuel..most of all our drivers would find other jobs...not many knows manuel

I love mine. though I am hoping the fuel economy goes upto what Volvo says that it can do 8 mpg or better to 8.3 mpg. the I shift takes some getting used to . I thought that all drivers knew how to drive a manual I guess not heck I learned in a manual. I told myself id'e never buy a auto trans but I couldn't resist after the dicounts the dealer gave me off the truck . I went into a kw dealer and they wouldn't budge giving me a discount so I told em to stick it and walked out. went into the international dealer as well I won't buy one of them earthier the sales rep tried shoving the truck down my throat after I said I was only looking. I cant stand pushy sales people. I love the massaging seat to even though there's like 20 buttons on that

 

[Southern Fried]

I have no doubt that there are some applications where an automatic is fine. However, on a smooth bore tanker they still suck because of the slosh of the heavy liquids.

The problem is the same as all computer "programs".... the assumption that everything fits the model exactly. But anyone who has been awake during their time on the road knows that you can have 2 identical trucks produced on the same assembly line on the same day and they will work different. Likewise loads, roads and drivers.

With a manual transmission any competent driver can "manage the slosh factor" to run that liquid load as smooth as glass. With an auto.... get used to the *thump, thump* and sweat the curves and ramps.

 

[Rigjockey]

True that! @Southern Fried . Two trucks one VIN number apart are not even the same. Every truck is unique. Like a Jockey on a horse you got to read the and feel the truck.

 

[Duck]

what in the hell was you doing with a pink cigarette lighter you could have gotten another color

It was the last one in a 6 pack of lighters.

 

[krelithous]

It was the last one in a 6 pack of lighters.

LOL but still I would have bought another one

 

[Duck]

LOL but still I would have bought another one

It makes fire.