Closed out my old truck today.

Got the final close out on my old truck today and decided to go through my bills to see exactly what it cost me over the 4 years and 550,000 miles. So here goes,

Total costs were $54,928
Tires. 11,000, but that is an estimate
Oil changes. 7,290
Other repairs. 36,638
Of the 36k $9,265 is for repairs not associated with the emissions such as starter and heater cores ect. There was also over $22,000 in warranty repairs done.

I had to estimate the tires because they go on Darts account and so the receipt doesn't show the cost. I could look it up on my financial statement, but that would take time.

Glad that is gone, just hope this one is better. So far no breakdowns, but I'm deffinately not impressed with it. It has more squeeks and rattles than the volvo and that dissapoints me. The engine runs good, but even tho it has more cubic inches and is rated for more hp it doesn't pull as good as the volvo, but that is not a big issue for me. Milage is some better than the volvo so far at 7.7 vrs about 7.3 this time of year, and I'll need that savings to offset the extra payments which should be an even trade if it keeps up.

The transmission is the big dissapointment. The volvo, as I always said, worked perfect and was a joy to drive. This one is everything that folks said an autoshift would be. It doesn't shift as smooth as the volvo, and never skip shifts so taking off with a light load is slow. If you hit the gas too hard it will launch you hard enough to throw my coffee cup out of the holder, there was no way you could make the volvo do that. Backing is the worst as it is hard to keep it from launching back, if the load is heavy and your backing up hill especially. I've gotten the feel for it now and can make it work, but it is hard and nothing like the volvo was, which was as easy as backing a car. I'm hoping that I can get it adjusted so it works better.

The cab is both longer and wider so there is quite a bit more room which is nice and gives the added benifit that I sleep better. I never realised how much sleep I was loosing because I was cramped. The bed area is only about 6" longer and 6" wider, but that males a lot of difference. I'm hoping to hqve some money to put some graphics on come spring, we'll see tho.

Thanks for the report. I've been wondering.
I'm sorry to hear the negative parts. I had assumed you would have shared any great news sooner, so this isn't a big surprise.
At least the most important thing, your health, has some benefit!

How odd! I was just thinking of asking you how you liked the auto trans in the new truck! Must be different not having to shift up and down often...I never thought reverse would be a problem...

Good job keeping records. Thanks for sharing them.
Sad to hear the new truck isn't dialed in like the Volvo. But - your health improvement is a blessing. You can't trade in your carcass for a new one every few years! Take care of the one you got

An auto shift is a lot different than an automatic.

Is it an Eaton autoshift? If so, you should be able to have it reprogrammed to skip shift and change the launch. I know a couple of the guys in our fleet have Eaton Ultrashift 18 speeds, and they skip shift. Some had to get them reprogrammed though, just to change how and when it shifts. I don't have first hand experience with them though, only ran manuals and a Volvo I-shift.

Those repair numbers are way out of line for a new truck running 4 years an half million miles. That is why you buy new. Have a 2012 with 330,000 + shows $2112.00 in warranty and $1632.00 in our cost over the 330 thousand miles. AND this truck is loaded with 120,000 lb load about half those miles. Hope you new one holds up better , cost of those repairs is one thing but the down time is another thing.

I agree the cost of repairs sound high, and then the down time is another big hit. It not only costs money to fix but think about the lost money when the truck down.

We have some autos and autoshifts at work. Lots of guys like the autos, but everyone hates the autoshifts. Myself? I'd rather have a 13 or 18, I like being in control of what's happening down there, but unfortunately in your line of work, that would probably affect the mileage too much. In my line of work it's not terribly important. I hope you have much better luck with this one, that much warranty work is crazy.

Ross

I once had to make a couple of runs with one of those autoshifts. Hated every minute of it.
When it comes to a car or light truck, I will have nothing but automatic. For a big truck, I'll take the stick shift over that autoshift monstrosity any day!!