Are All Trucks Manual Transmission?

[DeElisa]

Trucks are not all manual transmission; there are also automatic transmission trucks. Below is a comparison between automatic and manual transmission trucks: 1. Lower Cost: Manual transmission trucks have slightly lower engine RPM, direct power transmission, and the ability to coast in neutral, making them more efficient than automatic transmission trucks, saving a significant amount of fuel and reducing expenses. 2. Greater Flexibility: Due to diverse terrains, long-distance travel involves not only cities and highways but also various complex terrains like mountains, which demand higher flexibility from trucks. Automatic transmission trucks, with their automatic gearbox mode, require reaching a certain RPM to shift gears, which might result in insufficient power during vehicle start-up and climbing slopes.

[LeHarmony]

I've driven trucks for over a decade and found manual transmissions absolutely dominate the industry. Veteran drivers all prefer clutch gear-shifting, especially when controlling power during heavy-load hill climbs. But in recent delivery jobs, I've noticed new Scania and Volvo models already come with automatics - they're particularly effortless on highways. However, at construction sites, dump trucks and cement mixers still predominantly use manual transmissions since frequent gear changes are needed on rough terrain, plus manuals are more durable and cheaper to maintain. For time-sensitive refrigerated trucks hauling seafood, some fleets are now adopting automatics - after all, drivers doing 10-hour shifts certainly appreciate not having to depress the clutch constantly.

[DiEmma]

Having worked on hundreds of truck engines in repair shops, over 80% were manual transmissions. Manual gearboxes have a simple structure, providing more direct power delivery when hauling 30-ton loads uphill. Repairs usually just involve replacing the clutch three-piece set, which even roadside shops can handle. However, domestically produced heavy-duty trucks like Sinotruk and FAW are increasingly adopting AMT automated manual transmissions, such as the ZF gearbox used in the FAW J7, eliminating the need for frequent gear shifts in traffic jams. Nevertheless, dump trucks on construction sites and mountain-area trucks still stick with manual transmissions, as a major transmission overhaul costs only a few thousand yuan, whereas replacing an automatic transmission valve body can set you back 20,000 to 30,000 yuan.

[RyderDella]

Our logistics company has both new and old vehicles, with manual transmission vehicles accounting for about 70%. Short-distance blue license light trucks are exclusively manual transmission, which are 20,000 to 30,000 RMB cheaper to purchase and also have lower fuel consumption. However, for long-haul tractors running routes like Guangzhou to Urumqi, many are now equipped with automatic transmissions, mainly to reduce driver fatigue, and also because many young drivers nowadays can't drive manual transmissions. Interestingly, for express delivery companies' van trucks, like SF Express's Volvo FE, the proportion of automatic transmissions is very high, as they prioritize timeliness. However, the fuel consumption of automatic transmission heavy trucks is still about 5% higher than that of manual transmission.

[LeonardoDella]

Comparing the Dongfeng Tianlong manual transmission I drive with my colleague's automatic transmission, each has its own merits. The biggest advantage of a manual transmission is its durability; my truck has only needed a clutch plate replacement after 500,000 kilometers, with a fuel consumption of around 28 liters per 100 kilometers. Automatic transmissions do make driving on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau much easier, but fuel consumption often exceeds 32 liters. When buying a used truck, it's important to note that manual transmission trucks sell faster and have a residual value about 15% higher. Nowadays, new domestic heavy-duty trucks like the Sinotruk Huanghe X7 use worry-free shifting AMT, but there are fewer service points, and you often have to wait for factory technicians for repairs. Long-haul drivers now directly learn automatic transmissions when getting their licenses.

[VonMia]

Saying all trucks are manual is a stereotype. After observing the transport market for three years, I found that the adoption rate of automatic transmissions in refrigerated trucks and hazardous material transporters has reached 40%. The core technology is AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), which retains the manual gear structure but adds electronic shift control. For instance, the PowerShift transmission in the Mercedes Actros shifts smoother than even veteran drivers. However, electric trucks are more revolutionary—BYD's Q3 pure electric light truck doesn’t even have a gearbox. In the traditional fuel-powered heavy truck sector, the FAW J6 still dominates with manual transmissions in northwest mining areas, where heavy dust makes electronic components prone to failure; in such environments, manual transmissions are more reliable.