How to Use Automatic Transmission in Heavy Trucks?
2 Answers
The following is a related introduction to automatic transmission in heavy trucks: 1. Skillfully use the N gear: The N gear is the neutral gear of the transmission. The neutral gear is a gear that truck drivers use very frequently. Its function is not only to protect the transmission but also to improve safety to a certain extent. However, in automatic transmission vehicles, the N gear seems to have become a decoration, and people don't like to use it much. Skillfully using the N gear can not only reduce fuel consumption but also effectively protect the transmission of automatic transmission vehicles. When encountering a red light or traffic jam, if the estimated time exceeds 15 seconds, you should shift to N gear. 2. Do not use D gear for long downhill slopes: "D gear for all situations" is the understanding of many car owners about automatic transmission vehicles. As long as the vehicle needs to move forward, no matter what the situation is, just shift to D gear. This practice is terrifying for trucks. Those who have driven heavy trucks or have friends who are heavy truck drivers know that what truck drivers fear most is going downhill for a long time. Long downhill slopes are the most challenging road conditions for a driver's experience. 3. When parking on a slope, first pull the handbrake and then shift to P gear: When going downhill in an automatic transmission vehicle, never shift to D gear. If you only use the brake to stop, the brake may overheat or even fail. The correct approach is to shift to manual mode's 1st or 2nd gear if there is a manual mode, using the engine's traction for braking, with the brake only serving as auxiliary braking. If the transmission does not have a manual mode, shift to low gear mode or downhill mode.
I've figured this out thoroughly during long-haul trips. The automatic transmission in heavy trucks is quite different from that in cars—don't confuse those letters on the gear shift. Remember to always engage P (Park) to lock the axle, especially on slopes. For R (Reverse), check those rearview mirrors thoroughly. The key is manual mode—see those +/- signs beside the shift lever when driving mountain roads or hauling heavy loads? Push forward to upshift, pull back to downshift, and drop a gear immediately when the engine roars. Never coast downhill in D (Drive)—a truck's weight can fry the transmission! Hit the retarder button for steep descents. At first, the gear changes might feel sluggish, but after a few runs, you'll learn its rhythm—way easier than manual shifting.
