Jeremy Clarkson Forum

[Rory]

This is aimed at ivor but I didnt want to hijack the Ford thread.

What do you do with the Actross Gearbox. The semi Manual mode seems very strange to me. You ask for a new gear, it tells you what gear it will select, you dip the clutch and it changes its mind and selects a different gear eventually. I think I would put the clutch away and use the auto havent tried it though.

[Ivor Bigtruck]

Don't really like it when people aim things at me. Makes me keep thinking of all those darts, and ping pong balls, and Thai ladies 'you know whats'!

Seriously though, I don't have the full auto mode on mine, just the semi auto setup, which is crap. Like you say, always tends to select an inappropriate gear. If I had the option I think I'd select full auto mode and see how you get on.

Had mine now four months, and still just about getting used to it. The bloody woodpecker in the dashboard drives me up the wall when you don't disengage the clutch long enough, and the gear change is so damned slow it's crazy, especially when changing up through the range change from 4th to 5th.

You'll probably notice a lurch in the vehicle when you first engage a gear at a standstill, or block change as well. I assume this is because the gearbox is constant mesh and thus is fitted with a clutch, or transmission brake which enables the system to slow down enough to select the gear in the absence of a syncromesh. It feels just like the old Eaton Twinsplitter used to when you fully depressed the clutch to engage it.

I tend to use the 'paddle' under the gear selector and change up or down one, or half a gear at a time when heavily loaded, but this sometimes tends to cancel the selection for no apparent reason at the final moment, leaving you guessing which gear you are in.

Merc were the first to start using auto gear selection of this type about twenty years ago (EPS). You would think by now they would have got it right. Maybe the new trucks are better (mine's a 54 plate).

Nothing at all wrong with the gearbox itself, just the EPS selection setup. Wish I could take the whole thing out and fit a 13 or 18 cog Fuller Roadranger instead though.

I, like Rory, would also appreciate any advice or tips from drivers more experienced with this transmission. Old dogs and new tricks with me I think is the problem.

[Rory]

Thanks Iver

will try not to aim anything else at you, especially anything large and metal.

You seem to have very similar thoughts on this awful gearbox setup. As you say the paddle is more satisfying as you have more control. If I remember correctly it is possible to hit the paddle say twice to get a larger change. You always know from the dash what gear you end up in the proposed gear is flashing and when it stops flashing the thing is finally ready for you to release the clutch. As you say that dam noise to indicate it has spat you into neutral is infuriating because it always happens at the worst possible moment, ie when you are anxious about the road situation and need to get a move on you forget to wait three seconds before releasing the clutch and are left wallowing in neutral with something large bearing down on you. Imagine the nightmare of having such a system in a car, it would probably kill you in a fortnight.

[Ivor Bigtruck]

Problem I find is that the display on the dashboard is obscured by the steering wheel when, for example, going around a roundabout or junction. Fact is, you shouldn't have to take your eyes off the road just to change gear. I try to do it by memory, as you would with a manual, without looking at the dash.

No consolation to yourself, but glad I'm not the only one who hates it! Spoils a damn good wagon really. Good long distance motorway truck. 11.6 mpg average over 4 months at all sorts of weight and a steady right foot. Can't fault that!

[norfolkcaravanner]

Thought you had a beat up white Merc Sprinter doing multidrop?

[Ivor Bigtruck]

Not exactly "beat up", but a little bit battle scarred maybe. It's a hell of a lot easier to get the gears on that as well. Selling it now though. Buying a newer one.

Are you interested, Norky?

Very good price!

[welshwizard]

Hey Norky, I think I prefered you talking about your grokle box!!!!

[Rory]

Looking on Youtube I see there is some talk of noises from the speakers when the gear engages, not sure about that myself. Sometimes I can hear the gear engage, sort of a pnumatic noise but only if it is quiet. I wonder if this could be amplified because as you say the last thing you should be doing is looking at the dash while changing gear.

[Ivor Bigtruck]

Hey Norky, I think I prefered you talking about your grokle box!!!!

Is that the same as a Wobble Box, only in Norkish? Can't find it in the Oxford English!

[Rory]

Hey Norky, I think I prefered you talking about your grokle box!!!!

Is that the same as a Wobble Box, only in Norkish? Can't find it in the Oxford English!

Get a grip Bigtuck, Grockle is from the Welshman. In these parts our command of the queens is Norfolk an good.

How about choosing a personalised plate for Norky I suggest AM 01 NFN.

[welshwizard]

Hey Norky, I think I prefered you talking about your grokle box!!!!

Is that the same as a Wobble Box, only in Norkish? Can't find it in the Oxford English!

I'm told t's what the Cornish call em.

[norfolkcaravanner]

Thought it was what the Cornish called everyone who wasnt Cornish, except in the season of course when the old grockle cash comes in a bit handy, beats fishing for f****** mackerel......

[welshwizard]

Thought it was what the Cornish called everyone who wasnt Cornish, except in the season of course when the old grockle cash comes in a bit handy, beats fishing for f****** mackerel......

And having sexual relations with your relatives. It's not just a Norfolk thing!!!