Some Basic Driving Questions

Automatics are totally unsafe. I will never drive one again! Not until tomorrow at least.

They are more like flying a plane. Nothing like driving a road vehcile at all.

Are we being trolled a lot lately... or am i just suffering from menopause????

What do you mean?

Sorry. I actually posted this on the wrong thread.

I was being sarcastic cause one thread is talking about killer mold, vapers, poisonous food, lying recruiters, and horrible companies.. another was asking about the safety of automatic trucks and a third is asking about buying a truck although he doesnt want to buy a truck.

It just seemed too crazy when reading the forum tonight.

Sorry. I actually posted this on the wrong thread.

I was being sarcastic cause one thread is talking about killer mold, vapers, poisonous food, lying recruiters, and horrible companies.. another was asking about the safety of automatic trucks and a third is asking about buying a truck although he doesnt want to buy a truck.

It just seemed too crazy when reading the forum tonight.

LOL, it's all good. I was thinking to myself "oh no have I angered the mods here already?!?". Yeah, not gonna lie, I've seen a couple threads and posts on here that made me raise an eyebrow.

I see from your profile that you're actually a trainer and instructor yourself. So, in your opinion, it's totally fine if I don't bother with engaging the jakes on an automatic road test? Thanks for all the help.

I made the switch to automatic, and didn't care to go back.

The autos will downshift on their own when they sense you are slowing. You will use the Jakes more in downhill but that's what they are for.

I took my CDL exam and road test (WA state) in a manual transmission. 2016 Cascadia with a 10 speed. I knew, especially in 2024, that manual transmission jobs are getting farther and few between now to find. But I didn’t want the automatic only restriction on my license. I ended up getting hired at one of the majors with a 100% all automatic fleet and at this point, I couldn’t even imagine going back. There have been several instances now where I have been very grateful for the ease of an automatic. Especially having to slow down quickly or navigating a downgrade. Donner Pass 5 times in the last 3 weeks! Definitely grateful for automatic bringing 76,800 pounds down it. The Jake brake will work automatically with cruise control to hold the speed. Not that it matters or I’m trying to flex here but I now drive a 2025 Cascadia with automatic transmission and while I’m sure it’s the exact same system as previous models for the last couple of years, it all works great in a 2025. I’d only ever consider a manual transmission job now if the money was just something I couldn’t pass up. At the same time, I’m glad I have the skill and ability to drive a manual, though.

Our examiners specifically told us to not allow the jakes in the CDL schooling portion. They want to ensure a driver can indeed slow the vehicle without them. So i teach to apply the brakes lightly then release. coast a bit, apply brakes release. Come to a soft stop. Rather than push the brakes harder and harder until you stop, thrusting the truck forward at the end.

Yes, jakes can be used normally under most conditions. I won't lie. i use them on ramps, when trucks are passing me to ensure more distance when they get into my lane in front of me, downhill of course, and even at lights. However... you shouldn't use them in bad weather, even on downgrades. You could jack knife. The jakes slow the tractor not the trailer, the pedal slows the trailer also. If it is slippery and the tractor slow, but the trailer can slide and whip around. So you must learn how to control the truck without the jakes.

And hopefully, you won't get the "please eject now" warning light.

I made the switch to automatic, and didn't care to go back.

The autos will downshift on their own when they sense you are slowing. You will use the Jakes more in downhill but that's what they are for.

Ohhh I get it now! Thanks a bunch. I haven't been able to figure out how the truck would "drive like my car" if I have to engage engine braking during movement somehow to slow down, such as at stop signs and lights. I'm so used to driving the manual at this point and having the engine brake help me when I downshift. I've been wondering if it's truly automatic and just activates based on my speed. So, just like with my car, the truck should generally slow down more once I just let off the accelerator?

I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure it's easy for the guys who grew up, trained, and drove manuals extensively, but that's just not a thing anymore for most folks. Heck, I'm not even that young and I never found a need to drive a manual before this. Regardless of skill level, the autos sound a lot more relaxing and with less physical work involved. I think those are probably pretty important things when it comes to driver fatigue factor. I'm looking to go OTR for quite awhile and run hard, too. I don't want to have to fumble around with a shifter and clutch all day, every day, if I don't have to. I've had plenty of difficult and technical jobs in my career and I never once thought to myself: "gee, I'm so glad this process has never been made easier or more efficient in any way!"

I took my CDL exam and road test (WA state) in a manual transmission. 2016 Cascadia with a 10 speed. I knew, especially in 2024, that manual transmission jobs are getting farther and few between now to find. But I didn’t want the automatic only restriction on my license. I ended up getting hired at one of the majors with a 100% all automatic fleet and at this point, I couldn’t even imagine going back. There have been several instances now where I have been very grateful for the ease of an automatic. Especially having to slow down quickly or navigating a downgrade. Donner Pass 5 times in the last 3 weeks! Definitely grateful for automatic bringing 76,800 pounds down it. The Jake brake will work automatically with cruise control to hold the speed. Not that it matters or I’m trying to flex here but I now drive a 2025 Cascadia with automatic transmission and while I’m sure it’s the exact same system as previous models for the last couple of years, it all works great in a 2025. I’d only ever consider a manual transmission job now if the money was just something I couldn’t pass up. At the same time, I’m glad I have the skill and ability to drive a manual, though.

That's funny you mention Donner Pass. My class instructor, an old school retired driver, had quite a few stories about it. Also, I'm in that region and will likely have to make that drive myself sooner or later.

I'm pretty disappointed that I'm giving up and going with the auto restriction. It's not something I wanted to do. But I've tested twice now in manual and I'm nearly 3 weeks out from school. I'm not working at the moment and the road test retakes aren't cheap. I just need to pass and get to work at this point. I already have a few recruiters just waiting on me. My school offers auto restriction removal training/testing in their manuals for current CDL licensed drivers. So, I could always come back and do that if I want or need to. But, who knows, they may not even offer that anymore 5 years from now. The manual truck I was training in already had 1,100,000+ miles on it.

Our examiners specifically told us to not allow the jakes in the CDL schooling portion. They want to ensure a driver can indeed slow the vehicle without them. So i teach to apply the brakes lightly then release. coast a bit, apply brakes release. Come to a soft stop. Rather than push the brakes harder and harder until you stop, thrusting the truck forward at the end.

Yes, jakes can be used normally under most conditions. I won't lie. i use them on ramps, when trucks are passing me to ensure more distance when they get into my lane in front of me, downhill of course, and even at lights. However... you shouldn't use them in bad weather, even on downgrades. You could jack knife. The jakes slow the tractor not the trailer, the pedal slows the trailer also. If it is slippery and the tractor slow, but the trailer can slide and whip around. So you must learn how to control the truck without the jakes.

And hopefully, you won't get the "please eject now" warning light.

Great info! That's what I'll do then. I usually try to come to soft stops, but I was coming to hard stops testing in the manual due to needing to avoid stalling with low RPM's and simultaneously avoid coasting with the clutch in. My instructor's said it's kind of hard to fail on road test points alone. I'm just trying to at least make it through the test for once later this week.

Would you mind elaborating more on the proper method of braking down a steep hill in bad weather? I was told, as you said, not to use the jakes in that circumstance because it may cause me to jack knife. However, I was also told to never use the service brake going down a steep grade, either, since it could cause my brakes to heat up and fail. What would be the safe and proper method of going down a steep hill in heavy rain or snow, etc? Thanks a ton.

The jakes work differently in different trucks also. Cascadias have a "hill descent" feature. At the top of the hill, turn the jakes and cruise off. Then set the cruise to the speed you want to go down in. Then set the jake to level 2 of 3. It should hold you. If you speed up too much, drop the jake to 3rd level.

I never use this feature. I drive it more like a manual. You can go to the speed you want, then downshift (push stalk away from you) to keep the rpms around 15 to 18 with jakes on level 2. If it speeds up or rpms go too high you can drop the jake to 3. If need be, push on the brake to drop it doen 5mph. Attempt to get the jake to hold again. You may need to shift gears in order to keep the rpms high enough to hold the jakes, but not too high that the engine explodes. 😄

The speed you descend would depend on the weight of your load. On Monteagle TN and Cabbage in OR, there are speed limits based on weight. Max weight on Monteagle says 25mph limit. Cabbage is 18mph.

So... to make things less complicated, I told my students 7% grade 25mph, 6% grade 35mph, 5% grade 45mph. And that is dry road, slower if wet. Park it if ice and do not attempt! No one around you knows your weight, so while new it won't hurt to go slower until you feel comfortable. Always use your hazards and stay in right lane.

When it comes to not using the jakes... it is in your DMV handbook. If you want your max speed to go down at 30mph, then at 30 mph, press the brake until you drop to 25mph. Then let up. When it reaches 30, press the brake again. Continue this all the way until down the hill.

Riding the brakes down the entire time can yes, cause smoke, fire, and soiled pants. But we do it safely every freaking day.

The key is going slow. I often see trucks fly past me then get to the bottom of the hill and see them smoking. Going 65mph down a 25mph hill is not smart!

Heck... Smokey & the Bandit was based on a song that talks about Bandit going too fast down Monteagle TN!!

The jakes work differently in different trucks also. Cascadias have a "hill descent" feature. At the top of the hill, turn the jakes and cruise off. Then set the cruise to the speed you want to go down in. Then set the jake to level 2 of 3. It should hold you. If you speed up too much, drop the jake to 3rd level.

I never use this feature. I drive it more like a manual. You can go to the speed you want, then downshift (push stalk away from you) to keep the rpms around 15 to 18 with jakes on level 2. If it speeds up or rpms go too high you can drop the jake to 3. If need be, push on the brake to drop it doen 5mph. Attempt to get the jake to hold again. You may need to shift gears in order to keep the rpms high enough to hold the jakes, but not too high that the engine explodes. 😄

The speed you descend would depend on the weight of your load. On Monteagle TN and Cabbage in OR, there are speed limits based on weight. Max weight on Monteagle says 25mph limit. Cabbage is 18mph.

So... to make things less complicated, I told my students 7% grade 25mph, 6% grade 35mph, 5% grade 45mph. And that is dry road, slower if wet. Park it if ice and do not attempt! No one around you knows your weight, so while new it won't hurt to go slower until you feel comfortable. Always use your hazards and stay in right lane.

When it comes to not using the jakes... it is in your DMV handbook. If you want your max speed to go down at 30mph, then at 30 mph, press the brake until you drop to 25mph. Then let up. When it reaches 30, press the brake again. Continue this all the way until down the hill.

Riding the brakes down the entire time can yes, cause smoke, fire, and soiled pants. But we do it safely every freaking day.

The key is going slow. I often see trucks fly past me then get to the bottom of the hill and see them smoking. Going 65mph down a 25mph hill is not smart!

Heck... Smokey & the Bandit was based on a song that talks about Bandit going too fast down Monteagle TN!!

Ah, okay. So what I’m gathering from you is that it is safe to use the service brake pedal down a steep grade; just don’t use it for prolonged periods. Instead, manage a safe speed by braking at intervals to maintain the MPH I want to be at. Fair enough!

I'm sure I'll learn a lot more of the driving stuff with a trainer when I actually begin my first trucking job. The schools, as they say, only prepare people to pass the CDL tests. I'll just focus on one thing at a time.

I'll make sure to put on Jerry Reed and think back to your advice here if I ever find myself going down that Monteagle grade! Appreciate all your help.