advice please automatic / tiptronic in 3.5 ton lorry

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Blythe Spirit

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i think i have found a 3.5 ton lorry with automatic transmission which i can afford, has decent dimensions and has OK payload. YEAH

BUT after reading that so called semi-automatics or tiptronics are hell to drive and never change gears well. i called the seller back just to clarify that his 'fully automatic' meant that and not semi-automatic and he tried to explain to me but i didn't follow!

he said the lorry has two settings fully automatic and tiptronic and that in the auto mode it would drive just like an automatic car. BUT WOULD IT??

He said it just means you can force it to a certain gear for hills etc. This is the same as my full automatic corsa car. If you need to you can put it in 1,2,3rd gear (I thought all automatics had that setting) and I do use this is driving down very steep hills. BUT its a fully automatic gear box and NOT tiptronic and drives very smoothly indeed - better than most drivers using a manual.

So Q is there a difference between the automatic 'mode' in a lorry with an fully auto v's tiptronic mode OR is the fully auto mode genuinely the same as that in my automatic car?

someone must actually know the mechanics of it all...??? please I have no desire to spend many thousands on something which turns out to be terrible.

many thanks
 
he said the lorry has two settings fully automatic and tiptronic and that in the auto mode it would drive just like an automatic car. BUT WOULD IT??
Yes it would

He said it just means you can force it to a certain gear for hills etc.
You can move into manual mode. You don't force it into anything. You put it in manual mode - you then change gear 1,2,3,4,5,6 just like manual gearbox. You move the gearstick forward and it goes into the next higher gear. The gearstick returns to neutral position so say you are in third gear you push the gearstick forward and it moves into 4th gear etc

This is the same as my full automatic corsa car. No it's not the same - see above

is the fully auto mode genuinely the same as that in my automatic car?
Yes automatic is automatic. It you want it to be 2nd gear until you decide otherwise then you could move it into manual mode and put it in 2nd. Or because it is automatic you could drive accordingly and stay in 2nd by controlling your speed.

Hope this helps
Arzada
 
Thanks Arzada - yes helpful and encouraging. I thought that the mechanics that did the gear change for you in an auto and a tiptronic were different and that cars with tiptronic auto were less good than full autos at making good 'decisions' as to when to change gear. but if it will be as good as my full auto when in auto mode then I would be happy to have that.
 
I will sometimes use 'manual' mode when setting off. I find that I want it in 2nd gear sooner that the 'automatic' mode wants to change up! Other than that I leave it alone in auto mode. I've been up some quite steep hills and haven't felt the need to change gear - the auto mode sorts it all out very well. If you want to switch between the two it's very simple and you can move between auto mode and manual mode while on the move. Good luck with buying your box and hope you are very pleased with it.
 
I have one of these for my Renault 3.5 tonne lorry and it is no problem. I usually use it in Automatic and it drives just like my car. Don't worry, it is absolutely fine. My lorry is lovely to drive in Automatic mode and gives the horse a very smooth ride.
 
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