Smart wheel woes...

Just curious, what is a "Smart Wheel"?

 

Sucks yours doesn't work right. Personally I wouldn't order a truck without it after having it for the last 12yrs in several trucks. I guess if I had ever had problems with it my attitude might change.

Here's a crappy pic I found onliine. Basically it put the headlight/park light flash, cruse control and engine brake buttons on the wheel. You'd be amazed how much of a PITA it is to reach for those switches on the dash after you've had them on the wheel.

 

http://www.paccar.com/paccint/Kenworth/W900.pdf

Pg 19, pic #3 shows a decent picture. Wheel has engine brake switches,marker/headlight flash and cruise control switches on steering wheel.
Works ok, but as said already, i believe switches belong on dash make a much simpler, more reliable control.

 

opps, sorry John, while i was screwing around searching for info you had it all under control...

 

After you've had a smartwheel, reaching for the w/w button is just about too much like work ! If I give a driver a smartwheel will that compensate him being a dieseldummy?

 

Got it, thanks!

 

No, that's what autoshift's and hood mirrors are for.

 

I dont mind the smart wheels, but just like everything, it is one more thing to go wrong and if they do not have them perfected enough they can cause more harm than good.

A manual override switch for each function on the dash is a good idea. Different strokes for different folks.

Our Volvo loader does a good job of this. They put the standard shifter on the steering column that most people are used to, give you one to run with your pinky when using the hydraulic controls and also give you one on the other armrest with the joystick for steering (optional). The switches on each of the armrests are overridden by the one on the column. Joystick steering is overridden by grabbing the steering wheel.


Im a tall guy and like to stretch out for a lot of leg room. I don't think sitting on the floor is "cool" but I don't care to drive with air in the seat and find sitting low comfortable. Those switches are a long reach from that position. The radio is the worst though. be nice if they added at least volume, seek and/or program to the wheel. But then again were in the old school stage of AM/FM doing local driving.