#Peterbilt automatic transmission drivers#
#Peterbilt automatic transmission driver#
#Peterbilt automatic transmission manual#

The overall benefits of the PACCAR Automated Transmission are tangible, Oster reported. The first release of the PACCAR Automated Transmission is designed and optimized specifically for line-haul customers.

#Peterbilt automatic transmission driver#

“All in all, the Powertrain represents the latest advancement in transmission technology and brings a level of functionality, ease of drive and driver friendliness for a fraction of the cost of an automatic.” Real benefits

This is similar to an automatic transmission where if you’re in drive, you’re in gear, so you move forward once you take your foot off the brake. “A powerful feature available in the PACCAR Automated Transmission is ‘Urge to Move,’ which enables the truck to move forward upon releasing the service brake.

“The PACCAR Automated Transmission was designed and developed to complement the highly efficient PACCAR Powertrain which includes the PACCAR MX Engine(s) and a PACCAR 40K Tandem Rear Axle, providing the driver with a premium driving experience. The pneumatic activation of the transmission occurs and enables the shift and this event happens quickly inside the PACCAR Automated Transmission, resulting in a very smooth gear change.

#Peterbilt automatic transmission manual#

“The shifting and gear change activity is similar to disengaging the clutch on a manual transmission. “In an automated transmission like the new PACCAR 12-speed Automated Transmission, there is no torque converter because the automated uses a clutch,” said Oster. Peterbilt offers several of the latest automatic transmissions available from long-time supplier Allison. “In an automatic transmission the torque converter takes the output from the engine and transfers that torque, which allows the transmission to shift gears,” said Oster. The key difference between the automated and automatic transmissions, according to Oster, lies in the use of a torque converter. “Just about any driver who gets in that truck will operate it the way it’s designed to be run.” Torque converters vs. “With automated and automatic transmissions, fleets have greater assurances that their trucks will perform properly,” said Oster.

#Peterbilt automatic transmission drivers#

Oster noted that in some applications, an experienced driver with a manual transmission may outperform fleet averages, but experienced drivers trained on a manual transmission are a dwindling resource.

And fleets are getting better driver performance with automatic and automated transmissions.” “Fleet-wide, they offer greater fuel economy, reduced driver fatigue, easier driver training and improved operation versus trucks spec’ed with manual transmissions. “First of all, it’s important to note that we’re seeing an industry-wide trend from manual transmissions to automated or automatic transmissions,” said Oster, who noted that about 60 percent of Peterbilt Class 8 trucks sold in 2017 were spec’ed with either an automated or automatic transmission. So First Class asked Peterbilt Assistant Chief Engineer Darryl Oster to explain the difference. Yet customers say there remains some confusion in the market about the differences between automated and automatic transmissions, how they compare to manual transmissions and how they may benefit customers in certain applications. With new transmission options featuring advanced technologies now available, fleet managers are faced with an impactful decision to make when building a truck that will perform optimally in its designated application.Īnd in the case of transmissions, the rewards for making the right choice are clearly tangible where it matters most, in terms of fuel economy, weight savings and driver satisfaction.

Automated or Automatic - What’s the Difference, and Which One is Right for Me?