Automatic Gear Change - Volvo FM Handbook

I-Shift 241

Automatic gear change

The simplest way to drive the truck is to use the
automatic program (position A). Gear changing is
done automatically so that the driver can concentrate
on the actual driving.
When changing gear, the system will control the
clutch, gearbox and throttle. The system selects the
gear and the point in time for gear change for optimum
driving performance based on accelerator pedal
position, truck weight, road inclination, vehicle
acceleration, etc.
Automatic driving is recommended as often as
possible to use the gearbox's potential to its maximum.
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It is also possible to manually adjust the gears up or
down in automatic mode. The arrows in the display
show how many steps it is possible to change up or
down.
Automatic choice of starting gear
The gearbox selects the most suitable starting gear
with respect to weight and the road's inclination.
Adjusting the starting gear
You can also manually select a starting gear by using
the + and – buttons.
Keep the minus button pressed and move the lever to
the A or M position to quickly select starting gear 1.
This can be advantageous e.g. when marshalling, when
one changes between forward and reverse gears.
After a trailer has been disconnected (electrically)
from the tractor, the lowest starting gear is used until
the vehicle has moved a few metres to get smoother
marshalling. When the air suspension is set to manual
mode for height adjustment. e.g. when marshalling,
starting gear 1 is automatically selected for a slower
and smoother start.