AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR SEMI TRUCKS Technology was lagging behind and was having a hard time adapting for semi truck automatic transmissions. Hydraulic systems computers hadn’t had time to catch up with what truckers expected, or weren’t able to figure it out. Driver didn't like automatic transmissions saying they were unstable when on inclines or declines, transmissions were sticking in gear when they weren’t supposed to. Many professional drivers up to this day prefer stick shift gear because of the old problems with automatic transmissions. However, technology has caught up. Nowadays, everyone knows that automatic gear performance is smooth and almost without any problem. They are considered much easier to manage compare to stick shift transmissions. Automatic transmissions give far grater efficiency these days compared to stick shift. As if automatic transmission and the engine make a conversation which gives the best fuel economy possible in every second of the engine running. With the stick shift it would be hard for a truck driver to keep it smooth. It's all computerized well nowadays. But, because automatic transmission is more computerized , it is more expensive to maintain. Auto transmissions cost more too compare to manual transmission. Nevertheless, most likely future belongs to automatic transmissions. Experts agree that eventually almost all semi trucks will be manufactured with automatic transmissions. SEMI-TRUCK MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS Drivers truly get to control trucks with manual transmissions. So, if you an experienced owner operator or own a fleet with old school well experienced truckers, you are blessed. Because those manual transmissions are less costly compare to automatic by hundreds of dollars. Manual transmissions are pretty much like terminators. Hard to break and easy to fix. Unfortunately, driver demographics changing. Most of those newbies never even driven a car with stick shift. So they don't understand the basics of manual transmission which is considered lack off communication with the machine by the driver. This is a big concern for trucking companies. AMT There is also third type of transmissions. They are called Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT). They are not familiar to most drivers because people refer to them as Automatic Transmissions. It's a mixture of automatic and manual transmission. It's a mechanic gear with electronics that help to shift the clutch and the fork.
Trucking industry people consider manual transmissions to be old technology. But those who shifted gears for years feel their machine still consider manual transmission. However, by looking at modern day drivers we can tell that manual transmissions are on the downtrend. Like we discussed earlier, automatic transmissions are considered efficient, and easier to learn for new drivers. Plus, for a trucking industry in general it is more costly and difficult to train those new driver who never shifted gear before. Automatic transmission speeds up hiring and keeps both managers and the drivers less nervous. It’s also about fuel efficiency. Drivers with decades of stick shift practice are able to maneuver their manual transmission trucks into getting as much fuel efficiency as automatic transmissions, but majority drivers cannot. Automatic transmissions will look at factors such as engine speed, engine torque, vehicle angle, and vehicle speed before shifting. Newer drivers just don’t have the experience to evaluate factors like engine speed and torque, truck angle and truck speed when shifting the gear.