Student/Mentor Phase With Swift

I'm not a diesel mechanic but i have worked on cars and trucks for over 20 years. Anything that is "auto" will fail much quicker then a manual. Manual transmissions have been proven to be dependable and many of the manual transmissions in these trucks last 750k+ miles without problems from what i've read. Plus it's cheaper to fix them and replace them.

Well, the only thing I actually know about the autoshift, is that they are still "technically" built the same as manuals. The computer shifts for us. This is not the same as a regular 4 Wheeler automatic. So, in theory, the only extra parts are the computer chip, and the shifter mechanism.

You are a step ahead of most drivers, though, and can probably do more routine preventative maintenance then average driver. All I can do is cook up some food for the mechanics.

Not even close there are way more parts then simply a computer chip. I also know they aren't the same as a 4 wheel car or truck automatic.

I get these companies are trying these autos out to save on fuel cost but i don't see them lasting as long as a manual. More parts in a transmission = more points of failure.

I'm not a diesel mechanic but i have worked on cars and trucks for over 20 years. Anything that is "auto" will fail much quicker then a manual. Manual transmissions have been proven to be dependable and many of the manual transmissions in these trucks last 750k+ miles without problems from what i've read. Plus it's cheaper to fix them and replace them.

Well, the only thing I actually know about the autoshift, is that they are still "technically" built the same as manuals. The computer shifts for us. This is not the same as a regular 4 Wheeler automatic. So, in theory, the only extra parts are the computer chip, and the shifter mechanism.

You are a step ahead of most drivers, though, and can probably do more routine preventative maintenance then average driver. All I can do is cook up some food for the mechanics.

Not even close there are way more parts then simply a computer chip. I also know they aren't the same as a 4 wheel car or truck automatic.

I get these companies are trying these autos out to save on fuel cost but i don't see them lasting as long as a manual. More parts in a transmission = more points of failure.

It appears that you did not read my response very well, and also missed my subtle sarcasm. But isn't the first time, and definitely won't be the last, that my weird sense of humor gets lost in the mix.

Stay safe

Say there, Newbie78, you are correct, that fewer moving parts makes for fewer breakdowns. That's why I still use wooden pencils!

As for trucks with auto, that's the future. The bosses at Swift + Prime didn't just come into the office one day and say "Hey! Let's do automatics!"

Obviously the mfr gets it going right, then a company might buy 20-30 to see how they work. Not really the purchase price, but the cost to maintain the tractor and running expenses for 500,000 miles is what makes the decision. No week in Honolulu for Mr Stocking courtesy of PACCAR.

As a mechanic, I know watching all those gears turn, and keeping the roller bearings in while you assemble a manual shift is satisfying. But automatics will be getting the job done in 2016, thank you.

I started with swift and have only been solo a few months. I was assigned to a mentor with a 13 speed running a dedicated reefer account.

I upgraded to solo and was offered dry van. Part of the reason I accepted is because reefers don't pay extra so why take on the extra work?

Just dealing with lumpers is reason enough to avoid reefers.

Aside from the mechanical pro or cons, they may be doing it because there is only a small learning curve to operate it. It will shift when it needs to shift based on speed and load. Not a lot of input from the driver. I haven't driven a 'modern' one but I think it would keep the engine from being up against the governor a lot thereby saving fuel and reducing wear. Also less stress on the new driver trying to find the right gear will maneuvering in traffic. I heard Schneider is going to upgrade their entire fleet over the next 2 years.