Auto Mated Trannys

I did all my training in a manual. But the company is putting me into an auto to start solo driving. What should I be aware of while driving an AMT? This tranny is a Detroit DT-12 in a Freightliner.

Bruce, I honestly don't know anything about that particular transmission, but I'm very familiar with my Volvo I-shift transmission. Just yesterday I was thinking about how I could probably impress a few newbies if they rode with me and observed how well this thing works. It's so integrated with the Jake brake and the cruise control that it does a better job than I ever did while descending mountain grades.

On a flat grade I can make it break down the gears downshifting as I approach an intersection or stop light. All I have to do is brake slightly until I get the RPM down a little, then release the brake and it downshifts just like I would do if I were in a manual. It took me several months of driving it until I figured out how to make it operate the way I like, but once I had it figured out it almost acts like it knows what I want it to do. I love mine.

I still.prefer the manual cause im a control freak and backing in the auto International is a pain. it either rolls forward or jumps back when in reverse. i was terrified making the switch cause i heard horror stories of downgrades. i just push a button to put the truck in the gear i want and ride the jakes down. If i cant use the jakes i go 2 gears down. Not only does it hold but it doesnt go crazy with the rpms or make weird sounds. However, it doesnt do better than the manual and i see no.difference whatsoever in the fuel economy.

i too learned to control the shifting with the brake. but each truck has different features and the companies can control the 3 settings of performance. Companies are ordering the "fuel economy" setting now which is apparently a misunderstood feature causing fear and panic.

The FL has something called creep mode which makes backing easier than my International, and it has a hill assist so you dont roll backwards when stopped on inclines...another feature my truck doesnt have. So stopped at the top of an off ramp i need to be careful. sometimes i feel like im.slamming into the docks rather than the gentle release of the clutch. if i dont give it enough fuel in reverse it move forward especially on slants, and if i give it enough to overcome the forward motion, it seems to be too much and stuff goes flying all over my truck when i brake to stop it. some days it backs just fine and others it is crazy. lol it depends on the surface im on.

I dont love it...i tolerate. i hate change.

I have an International auto and mine is easy to back. I don't get the jumping like Rainy does. With mine it took some getting used to and feathering the throttle does help. I have the hill assist in mine and it is a blessing on grades. The DT-12 is very similar to the Volvo's I-drive system. So I would advise reading the manual and just learn how it reacts. Heck you may love it like Old School.

My FL has the DT-12 and I love it. I find it much easier to back smoothly than with the 10 speed A/S. Last month my truck was in the shop for almost 2 weeks so I had a rental 2019 International LT with the Cummins and the auto shift 10 speed. It did not back up as smoothly as the DT-12,but the thing that really drove me nuts was that it would not skip gears when up-shifting like the DT-12 does, it would go through every one. Never got through red lights unless I was the first few in line.

Towards the end I started manually clicking it up to 3rd or 4th and it wasn't so bad.