Push-Button Shift Selector
Gear information is presented to the driver on the push-button shift selector, shown in Fig., usually mounted on the right-hand control panel. On this display, the information is presented as follows:
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To select neutral, press the N button. When neutral is engaged, the telltale LED will light up next to the N button.
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To select reverse, press the R button. When reverse is engaged, the telltale LED will light up next to the R button.
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To select drive, press the D button. When drive is engaged, the telltale LED will light up next to the D button.
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To select low gear, press the LOW button. When low is engaged, the telltale LED will light up next to the LOW button.
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To change gears manually, press the MANUAL button. When the manual mode is engaged, the telltale LED will light up next to the MANUAL button.
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Use the shift buttons (upshift/downshift) to change the current starting gear selection in R, D, and LOW. In MANUAL, the shift buttons can be used to select gears.
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In automatic mode, the number of the forward gear currently engaged appears continually on the mode indicator when in drive. In MANUAL, the last gear selected appears on the mode indicator.
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If the SERVICE indicator illuminates, take the vehicle as soon as possible to an authorized Freightliner service facility.
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The mode button is reserved for future use.
Important: To prevent engine overspeed, the transmission software will override both MANUAL and LOW if necessary. The system will not respond to gear selection requests that will either overspeed or excessively lug the engine.
Automatic Mode
When the transmission is in automatic mode, the transmission automatically selects and engages the gears, although the transmission will respond to upshift and downshift requests as though in manual mode. See the instructions for shifting under heading 'Manual Mode' below.
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Not Used
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R (reverse)
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N (neutral)
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D (drive)
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MANUAL Mode
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Low Gear Hold
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Upshift/Downshift Arrows
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SERVICE Light
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Mode Indicator
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Mode Button
Fig. 1, Eaton Push-Button Shift Selector
Manual Mode
To select MANUAL mode, press the MANUAL button on the push-button shift selector. When the transmission is in manual mode, the driver must select the appropriate gear, using the shift buttons on the push-button shift selector.
To upshift in MANUAL, press the upshift button (up arrow), and release. The number of the gear will appear on the mode indicator. If the requested gear is available, the transmission will shift up.
Notice: Do not attempt to upshift until the vehicle has reached a sufficient speed. The clutch absorbs the speed difference by generating heat, which causes the clutch to wear out too soon.
Many drivers upshift into the next gear or even skip-shift into a higher gear before the vehicle has reached the correct speed. This type of shifting is almost as bad as starting off in a gear that is too high. When the engine speed (rpm) and the vehicle speed (mph or km/h) are too far apart, the clutch must absorb the difference in speed by generating heat.
To downshift in MANUAL, press the downshift button (down arrow), and release. The number of the gear will appear on the mode indicator. If the requested gear is available, the transmission will shift down.
If any requested gear is not available, an audible warning will sound and the digital display will indicate that the gear is not available.
Selecting Gears
R (Reverse)
Reverse (R) is used to back the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle comes to a full stop and the clutch pedal has been pressed before shifting into reverse.
To select reverse, press the clutch pedal to the floor. Then press the R button.
N (Neutral)
Neutral (N) is used for starting, parking, or any stationary operation. No gear is selected. The transmission must be in neutral to start the engine.
Important: If the vehicle starts up in any gear but neutral, bring the vehicle to an authorized Freightliner service facility as soon as possible.
To select neutral, press the clutch pedal to the floor. Then press the N button. Set the parking brakes and slowly release the clutch pedal.
Note: Neutral is always available during vehicle operation. When in neutral, requests to upshift or to downshift are ignored.
D (Drive)
Drive (D) is used for normal highway driving. In drive, the transmission shifts into the proper gear for starting, and then automatically selects additional gears as needed, in a range between the starting gear and the highest gear.
To select drive, press the clutch pedal to the floor. Then press the D button. Slowly release the clutch pedal and drive the vehicle.
To start up in a gear other than the normal starting gear, push the upshift arrow with D selected, and while the vehicle is stopped.
Important: AutoShift will not start up in any gear higher than third gear.
The number of the gear selected will flash on the auxiliary display until the driver presses the clutch pedal. This gear will be stored in memory as the default starting gear until a different starting gear is selected by the driver, or until the engine is shut down.
Note: The transmission may be programmed so that it is not possible to select a starting gear other than the preprogrammed starting gear.
L (Low)
LOW is used to hold the transmission in low gear when descending steep hills. If LOW is selected when the vehicle is stopped, the transmission remains in low gear until drive is selected. If LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving, the transmission downshifts at a higher engine speed than normal, in order to maximize the engine braking effect.
To select LOW, press the clutch pedal to the floor. Then press the LOW button. Slowly release the clutch pedal and drive the vehicle.
Important: Before parking the vehicle, always do the following:
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Place the transmission in neutral.
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Set the parking brakes.
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Chock the tires, if parking on an incline.