Turn Knob gear selector

[RamDiesel4]

I was thinking, I wonder just how reliable is this turn knob gear selector? I can only imagine being somewhere in the middle of a dessert and it will not go into gear

 

[CJnOC]

I don't know how well the actual dial is made, but think of this as an electronic shifter, as opposed to a mechanical one. Virtually ALL of the modern luxury car makers such as BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc. are using electronic shifters. Perhaps not in the form of a dial, but more like a traditional T-Grip center console mounted shifter, but even those are stationary. They don't travel 3" through PRNDL. Instead they are electronically 'bumped' by your hand to either move up or down. Last, remember that this 8-speed 'TorqueFlight' badged transmission IS a ZF gearbox from Germany (made here by Chrysler through a licensing agreement with ZF Group) and is the same one that is currently sold in the Rolls Royce Phantom! (I know you weren't asking about the tranny, but hey, might as well mention it too!)

 

[BoostN]

Yea I agree with CJ, I don't foresee any major issues with that. The technology has been around for a long time... and as he mentioned, all shifts now are some forum of electronic shifting and not a true gearbox.

 

[AzRamDiesel]

Modern electronics, nothing to worry about.

 

[dodgedieselguy]

I am pleased to report that after reading all the hype and BS about the rotary shifter, I like it and have had no problem learning it. I've owned my truck for a month now, and the shifter is great.

 

[BoostN]

Agreed dodgedieselguy! Welcome to the site!

 

[ramtex]

Just takes some time to get used to it, specially if you drive other vehicles with the regular shifter.

 

[BoostN]

Just takes some time to get used to it, specially if you drive other vehicles with the regular shifter.

Yea, good point..

I've caught myself doing the same thing.

 

[jdn112011]

I grab the dash whenever I jump in the BMW to drive now! Lol

 

[Stan Laurel]

I like the shifter, but I have been known to twist the radio knob and get briefly annoyed that the truck doesn't go into gear!

 

[BoostN]

I like the shifter, but I have been known to twist the radio knob and get briefly annoyed that the truck doesn't go into gear!

I was watching a review today and the new GM trucks have the 4x4 knob and lights side by side, and they look exactly the same with just a different facing on it. That will be a huge problem for people moving forward with the GMs.

 

[Brady]

I was watching a review today and the new GM trucks have the 4x4 knob and lights side by side, and they look exactly the same with just a different facing on it. That will be a huge problem for people moving forward with the GMs.

That is awful. Why in the world it's there is beyond me. At least RAM's shift knob is large and separate from everything.

 

[CaptainMal]

First I think you should avoid the desert if afraid of the shift knob. That or bring a tow truck with you.

You have not lived until you turn the knob to R while moving along at 40 mph and wanted to coast in neutral. The computer works. Don't try it. Trust me on that.

 

[Mharrison]

I did it goin down the freeway...I freaked out for a minute may have even peed a little but flipped it back to drive...not an evic message nothing...just kept on driving

 

[BoostN]

I would hope the computer has a fail safe in it that would not allow a gear change over a certain MPH.

 

[jdn112011]

First I think you should avoid the desert if afraid of the shift knob. That or bring a tow truck with you.

You have not lived until you turn the knob to R while moving along at 40 mph and wanted to coast in neutral. The computer works. Don't try it. Trust me on that.

What exactly happened in this case?

 

[Mharrison]

It never tried to change gears on me so I'm sure it does...most modern automatics won't allow a gear change over a few mph

 

[jdn112011]

I think it's kind of a poor call by the engineers not to use a brake interlock for neutral to reverse like Every single vehicle has been for decades past.

I don't understand where that logic was lost is all

 

[TheB2B]

Take's a bit to get used too, I wasn't sure if I would get used to it and like it but I have. Like previously stated all modern auto's now shift electronically just matter of how it is presented to the driver. For me it was getting used to which way to twist the knob and not to shift it unless completely stopped. The shifter will drop the transmission into gear if you are slowly moving with a rather abrut clunk and junk. Can't be good for the trans.

 

[Brady]

Nope, never is. I've always cringed when somebody slams a vehicle in forward gear as they're still backing out of a spot.