Driving an autoshift Freightliner is similar to operating any vehicle with an automatic transmission. Eaton developed the heavy-duty automatic for long haul drivers to help ease the burden of shifting through all the gears. The autoshift was standard in medium-duty trucks for many years, but as technology increased so did the need for making life on the road easier for the weary driver.
Press the clutch pedal to the floor. The truck still requires using the clutch pedal to engage the gears forward and reverse.
Move the shifter from the neutral position to the drive position. The shifter housing is clearly marked, as it is in a regular car, to which gear is in which position on the shifter.
Press the yellow parking brake switch down. This will disengage the parking brake. Disengage the red switch as well. This will release the brakes for the trailer.
Press slowly on the accelerator pedal as you disengage the clutch. You will feel the truck start to move. Press the accelerator pedal further down to fully engage the first gear. Be sure to release the clutch pedal as you engage the accelerator.
Press the clutch pedal down as you press the brake pedal to come to a stop. The truck will still require the clutching for starting and stopping.
Press the clutch pedal for using reverse gears. The truck will stall if the clutch is not engaged.
