QI am considering buying a light delivery
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van powered by a diesel engine and equipped with automatic torque-convertor transmission. By all accounts an automatic gearbox eases the work of the driver on multi-drop runs and reduces journey times.
I have been warned, however, that it increases fuel cbnsumption and maintenance costs. Have you reliable reports on fuel consumption and overall costs of an operator running identical vehicles with conventional and automatic transmissions?
AUsers who have provided information on
the operation of vans having automatic transmission and who can compare them with similar vehicles having conventional gearboxes are unanimous that the automatic type reduces maintenance costs and improves the reliability of the vehicle. In fact these merits are generally regarded as the main advantage of automatic drive, the savings being derived from the elimination of clutch troubles and the long life of the gearbox. In some cases improved tyre wear and reduced wear and tear of the suspension have been reported.
The torque convertor gives a smooth pick-up from rest, and ratio changing cannot be misjudged; consequently, shock stresses in the transmission cannot result from the action of an inexperienced or brash driver. The transmission certainly reduces driver fatigue on congested routes, particularly if there are multiple drops, and may well save time on a run.
More power is absorbed by an automatic transmission than is wasted in a conventional gearbox, and undoubtedly the latter enables a more favourable fuel consumption to be obtained if the vehicle is being handled by a skifful and conscientious driver. In the hands of an "average" driver both types of transmission should give approximately the same consumption. A rather better fuel consumption can normally be obtained with an automatic gearbox in the case of a sub-standard driver or one who gives little thought to the mechanical welfare of his vehicle. Driver/salesmen often come into this category because they regard salesmanship as the most important part of their job.