Automatic Truck/ Engine Break In Rain??

Hey you guys just wondering I just went to a new company and they have all automatic trucks. When I went to CDL school I learned on a manual and my first truck in my first job was a manual so I’ve been pretty used to how they work and I love how manuals drive because I feel like I have more control especially when descending on grades. My question is since I am new we have been taught not to use our engine brake on wet or slick conditions. Since I cannot downshift as I would in a manual how do you control your speed on steep hills when the weather is raining and also when it snows if you are not supposed to use your Engine break.? Can I use the engine braking if so how should I? I’ve also noticed that there is a manual setting with the truck( Freightliner cascadia 2015) any tips??

Still too green to know exactly how to handle the weather. The truck you mentioned has a manual mode switch, you mentioned. If that model is set up like the modern ones are, the right hand stalk should double as a paddle shifter. This should allow you to move through gears when needed and the auto function will take back over when it thinks it should. All the trucks I've been in, push the stalk outward/pull inward to shift gears. Move clockwise like a turn signal to engage the engine break. If you set the manual mode switch, it'll stay in the gear you select until auto mode is reselected. Hope something helps.

I drive an autoshift crapcadia daycab and it is easy to drive. The transmission will shift up and down on its own depending on engine rpms. You can downshift the truck easier then a manual, just push the paddle down. You do not need to select manual mode to do it. The truck will not miss a shift. The only difference is that a manual truck will accelerate faster. You will still need to control your decent using stab braking, just like a manual trans.

I lock my auto in manual mode when descending and using the engine brake. Locking it keeps it from downshifting too much and over revving the motor.

I lock my auto in manual mode when descending and using the engine brake. Locking it keeps it from downshifting too much and over revving the motor.

Not every company has the Manual Mode available. Crete does not. My next truck will be going back to a manual, mainly for this reason.

I lock my auto in manual mode when descending and using the engine brake. Locking it keeps it from downshifting too much and over revving the motor.

Not every company has the Manual Mode available. Crete does not. My next truck will be going back to a manual, mainly for this reason.

Oh, I hear ya. I can descend 5-6% grades 5 miles and longer with 80,000+, keeping it below 65 and never use the brakes. I wouldn't be able to do that without manual mode.