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DRIVERS' VERDICTS

16th December 1993
Page 40
Page 40, 16th December 1993 — DRIVERS' VERDICTS
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Volvo has been pushing Geartronic hard with competitive pricing. Operators are turnin? to it—but how do drivers feel about qoinq automatic?

Ernie Eaves has been driving for 32 years and with Cavewood for over 18 of them. He's been using Geartronic since October 1992 and has covered 180,000km with the system. Most of the miles have been in a left-hand-drive F12 but he has also driven the FL10 right-hookers. Work varies between fully freighted and light running. Most of the runs are to Europe with a variety of roads."I think it's great,"says Eaves, "But I wouldn't pay £3,000 to fit it. In town and heavy traffic it's wonderful. Automatically Changing down with the exhaust brake is one of the best things about it."

His criticisms are few but Eaves would like more control. "In the best of all possible worlds, it would be nice to have the option of using it as a manual all through the gears." He would also like to be able to influence the change pattern more and thinks acceleration is too rapid in 'Resume': "It tears up through the gears too quick." He would prefer a different cruise control. "I feel less stressed at the end of a day, but I 'd rather have a foot-on cruise control, because you have to knock cruise control off."

Geartronic has been very reliable in Eaves' hands too. "Sensors in the gearbox went when new, but they modified the contacts so they weren't vibration damaged. One of the gearbox solenoids went and I couldn't get reverse gear. Dealers have not had a great deal of experience with the system yet. It's possible to get things fixed quickly if you can get someone who knows what they're talking about."

Richard Owen of Medler Haulage in Norfolk has been driving a 6x2 Geartronic since 1 August and has racked up 50,000km. He drives all over the UK and is often away for two or three days. Medlers pull all triaxle flatbed trailers with cranes, or curtainsiders. Most running is at 38-tonnes, with "no more than 15% empty".

"EPS was good, but this is better," says Owen who used to drive a Mercedes 1644, "It's so easy to drive and so relaxing at the end of a day." He thinks you need time to get the best out of the system and had two days in the cab with Volvo's own driver trainers. Like Ernie Eaves, he is very impressed with the exhaust brake. There have been no problems so far and Owen finds it very hard to fault. "You've got to allow for its slower take-up from rest at roundabouts."

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