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Is an 8 speed automatic transmission the most gears we will see? - READ ONLY

18 messages,  Last post on Mar 28, 2011 at 8:49 PM

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#13 of 18 There already ARE transmissions... by lemko

Jan 26, 2009 (12:48 pm)

...with more gears, but they're in semi trucks.
 
From wiki:
 
Because of the wide variety of loads the "semi" may carry, they usually have a manual transmission to allow the driver to have as much control as possible. However, all truck manufacturers now offer semi automatic transmissions (manual gearboxes with automated gear change) as well as automatic transmissions.
 
"Semi" truck transmissions usually provide at least nine or ten gear ratios, but possibly as many as eighteen (e.g. Australian Road Trains). A large number of transmission ratios means the engine itself can operate within a narrow range of speeds. The range of speeds over which an engine is expected to perform well has implications for the design - the narrower the range, the more the engine can be optimised for that. Also having so many gears allows fine-grained control of engine braking for better control on downhills and in curves.
 
A ten speed manual transmission is controlled via a six-slot H-Box pattern similar to that in five-speed cars - five forward and one reverse gear. Gears six to ten (and high speed reverse) are accessed by toggling a selector control - so that first gear becomes sixth, second becomes seventh, etc.
 
Another difference between semi-trucks and cars is the way the clutch is set up. On a regular car the clutch pedal is depressed full stroke to the floor for every gear shift to ensure the gearbox is disengaged from the engine. On a semi-truck with e.g. Eaton Roadranger series constant mesh transmission (non synchronized) not only double clutching is required, there is an additon of clutch brake as well. The clutch brake stops the rotation of the gears and allows the truck to be put into gear without grinding when stationary. The bottom of the clutch pedal stroke is where the clutch brake activates and as a result only partial or "half" clutch pedal stroke is used when a vehicle is in motion.

#14 of 18 Re: Geeze... [lemko] by cheetaher10

Mar 27, 2011 (11:35 am)

Replying to: lemko (Oct 09, 2007 5:50 am)
the amount of tranny repair is about the same there is no more work on 7/8 speed tranny then a 4/6 speed. its just a bigger trany

#15 of 18 Re: The Point [robertsmx] by oldbearcat

Mar 27, 2011 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: robertsmx (Oct 09, 2007 8:07 am)
I've got a Mercedes GLK350 4matic with the 7 speed. With the nice flat torque curve the Mecedes 3.5 liter 6 has, the little SUV has no problem holding 7th gear on my interstate runs, even going up fairly steep grades ( I live in WV so there's plenty of them on our interstates). In addition, the GLK is quite quick for a SUV.
 
Regards:
Oldbearcat

#16 of 18 Re: The Point [oldbearcat] by andre1969

Mar 28, 2011 (5:25 am)

Replying to: oldbearcat (Mar 27, 2011 9:03 pm)
In your opinion, do you think your Benz could get by with fewer gears, or do you feel that they benefit you? Since you live in a mountainous area, I'd imagine that you'd see some extra benefit to those additional gears.
 
I have to admit, the only thing I've ever driven with seven gears is a 1990 Montgomery Ward lawn tractor! I've driven my buddy's 2006 Xterra a few times though. It has a 5-speed automatic, and I don't really care for it. It seems to have no power in top gear, and when you need to stomp it and downshift, it seems like there's a slight delay, but then it kicks in and almost seems to take off TOO fast, as if it's compensating for that lag.
 
I'd probably get used to it if I drove it on a regular basis, but most of my driving is done with archaic 3- and 4-speed automatics, so to me that 5-speed just seems like it shifts too much. It doesn't lurch or clunk, but I can still feel it from the change in engine revs.
 
I used to think that my old 2000 Intrepid would have benefited from an additional gear. Sometimes in 4th gear, it would get a bit gutless, but then when it shifted to 3rd, it almost seemed like overkill. FWIW, at 75 mph, 4th was 2500 rpm and 3rd was around 3750. If they had stuck an additional gear somewhere between 3rd and 4th, I thought it would help a bit.

#17 of 18 Re: There already ARE transmissions... [lemko] by hoosiergrandad

Mar 28, 2011 (8:07 am)

Replying to: lemko (Jan 26, 2009 12:48 pm)
Most drivers of "roadranger" equipped trucks don't bother with using the clutch, except for stopping and starting.......shifting is done 'by ear' and/or watching the tach. Takes some practice.

#18 of 18 Re: The Point [andre1969] by oldbearcat

Mar 28, 2011 (8:49 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Mar 28, 2011 5:25 am)
Andre:
 
IMO the 7 speed certainly enhances the GLK's performance. The car I traded for it was a Jaguar S-Type V8 with the 6 speed automatic. Both cars have enough low RPM torque that they don't frequently downshift on hills at interstate speeds. The ZF transmissions shift almost seamlessly as well. I had a 2001 Intrepid with the 2.7 - I know what you're talking about. My business driver is a Honda CRV - with a 5 speed automatic. It makes you crazy downshifting to as low as 3rd while it screams its guts out climbing a hill on the interstate.
 
Regards:
Oldbearcat

Messages Page 3 of 3

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