bmzero Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 My truck (I-Shift) came equipped with the basic transmission controller. I was told, by a long time Volvo salesman, that I could swap out to the premium controller and reprogram the transmission to take advantage of the other shifting options (Gentle Shift, etc.). Most of the time, I'm happy with the gear selected by the I-Shift, but not always, especially when starting from a dead stop. Even in Economy mode, the truck starts off in first gear way too often for my liking. Very rarely do I get a fourth gear start. I'm hoping the premium shifter would allow me to have more control over the gear selection. However, my local Nextran Volvo dealer is clueless about this swap. Is anyone here familiar with this swap? Comparrison of controllers (starting on slide 9) - http://www.wshema.com/past_presentations/Volvo_I-Shift-D_WHSEMA.ppt Premium Controller (photo from Jack's site): Basic Controller (from my truck): "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 I don't know if the swap is feasible or not...(I simply do not know) Your dealer should be willing to talk to Volvo engineering to find out the feasibility and also the issues. That is typically what they do when "challenged". Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 I'm wondering if this newer shifter would fix my shifting woes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted April 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 I'm wondering if this newer shifter would fix my shifting woes. What problems are you having? I may have the same issues. "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 I forget what issues Roger has....but I can tell you that I have absolutely zero issues. My IShift operates exactly how you would "imagine" a perfect transmission to operate. The ONLY quirk I have ever seen is that one time as I took my foot off the throttle when turning a sweeping turn the trans got a little confused and would not take up power again. I simply moved to neutral and back to drive and it "rediscovered" itself. All while in motion (slow). That is the ONLY anomaly I have ever seen. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom& Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 Changing the I-shifter from the basic to premium was one of things I had Gregg at RV Haulers do during my build, he agreed it was a good idea, Volvo in Calgary had no problem changing it. I have never driven driven with the basic shifter, but I feel that the cost was worth the change, $1k. 2011 vnl730 D13 435/1650 I-shift singled mid 2015 Keystone Raptor 425ts 2015 Smart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 Mine will lugg going up a hill and not downshift till about 1000 rpm. It will start off in too high a gear when going up a hill from a standing start and doesn't shift like Greggs does in the Kicking Horse Pass video. The shifter seems to have the buttons in an easier location for me with the detached thumb tendon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted April 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 Mine will lugg going up a hill and not downshift till about 1000 rpm. It will start off in too high a gear when going up a hill from a standing start and doesn't shift like Greggs does in the Kicking Horse Pass video. The shifter seems to have the buttons in an easier location for me with the detached thumb tendon. Mine does the same. What year is your truck, Roger? Does yours have the premium shifter? "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Few Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 Mine does the same. What year is your truck, Roger? Does yours have the premium shifter? I am LOVING all this information.. Again one of the reasons why I will choose the I-shift!! The Few Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 My truck never luggs....however it will slow down more than necessary on a steep hill before shifting down. It shifts down around 1050 or so. This is by design. You will lose some speed though if you take no actions....like pressing down on the throttle to cause a downshift (this may be a feature of the advanced IShift programing). I do force the downshift if I know that I want to maintain speed. Sometimes the operator IS smarter than the trans Under no circumstance will my transmission cause the engine to lug - but it does allow longer before the shift than I would. You should not allow that to happen if it is. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 Sometimes the operator IS smarter than the trans I have never second guessed my transmission. I wonder what that mean?? MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil D Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 I have never second guessed my transmission. I wonder what that mean?? Either our FreedomLines are really smart, Phil, or a couple of FreedomLine operators are pretty stupid. Must be the transmissions. Phil 2002 Teton Royal Aspen 2003 Kenworth T2000 - Cat C12 380/430 1450/1650, FreedomLine, 3.36 - TOTO . . . he's not in Kansas anymore. ET Air Hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 The only time my Autoshift doesn't handle the job is when I put in "H" (Hold). This happens when I put in Hold from engine braking going downhill and then I forget to put it back into Drive at the bottom. Going back uphill in the wrong gear is not the thing to do. Yes I think the transmission is smarter. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 m Mine does the same. What year is your truck, Roger? Does yours have the premium shifter? Mine is an '09 D13. Don't know about the premium shifter. What would indicate one way or the other? Jack may have something in saying Press down the throttle to downshift maybe. I read the last line several times but my head started to throb. It never did shift like Greggs so I can only think Volvo in Calgary didn't do something right when reprogramming the ECU. They goofed on something else and I wound up getting a refund. There is a Berks Intertruck dealer up island that has the capability of reprogramming but to what?? They don't know. This kind thing is not what they normally do. They handle dump trucks and logging trucks. If I knew the settings or parameters the ECU was changed to for recreational use, then we would have a fighting chance. I asked them about the new shifter last fall when lawyer/goldminer Jim had issues with his but Berks knew nothing. Gregg is knowledgeable, I am not. All I can do is have fluids and filters changed. Listen to what others do or have done, ie., MB's topic of going to 17.5's, Eternabond tape on the roof joints plus a number of others. Do what is needed on a priority cost basis and trust the rest to good judgement or to put into flying terms, the definition of a good pilot is one who uses his superior intellect to keep him or her out of situations where his superior skills are needed. I don't have the tools nor the knowhow to be stranded by the side of the road trying to diagnose/repair this monster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 My trans is very smart. BUT, it (and your Freedomlines, Ultras and Autoshifts), cannot see the road ahead. I can. So I can keep the truck from upshifting on a flat in a long hill climb when I KNOW the road is going to climb again just ahead. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porky69 Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 After a couple of million miles driving manual transmission trucks (some weighing upwards of 200,000lbs) I dislike the way my Freedomline works on everything but flat land. Like Jack says it can't see the road ahead so it still requires extra input from the driver to perform properly such as forcing a downshift before a hill or when you lift of the throttle it tries its hardest to bring the truck to a stop when all you want to do is coast a little. Plus I dislike Freightliners "paddle" shifter design, it might be better if it had a shifter like the Volvo I-Shift. I would much rather be in full control, but scratch building a motorcoach with a manual did not make economic sense compared to buying a used one with autoshift. So you take the good with the bad and make the best of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted April 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 I'm in the same boat. Personally, I like shifting gears and being able to be smooth when I need to and aggressive when necessary. However, there's zero chance of my wife driving a manual. Plus, resale will be a lot better on an I-Shift than a manual. "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 My trans is very smart. BUT, it (and your Freedomlines, Ultras and Autoshifts), cannot see the road ahead. I can. So I can keep the truck from upshifting on a flat in a long hill climb when I KNOW the road is going to climb again just ahead. By putting shifter into manual and selecting the gear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 The option price for the premium shifter when I ordered my truck was $29.00. I also had to specify kick down mode as there are many fleets that order with out kick down mode. I also ordered the Comprehensive mode with hill start assist and Eco-Roll enabled. Like others have mentioned if coming up to a hill where the kick-down seems late I'll use the accelerator a head of time. I very seldom touch anything on highway when cruise control is set whether in the mountains or the flats....I just let the i-shift do its thing. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 What does the Premium shifter do that the regular one does not? Or is it tied into other things that I do not have? What is kick down mode??? Hit the throttle into passing gear so to speak? What is Comprehensive mode? Hill assist is the truck holds its position on the uphill at a stop, am I correct? At least for a few seconds. What is Eco roll? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 Roger, this is from the link above....some great info. http://www.wshema.com/past_presentations/Volvo_I-Shift-D_WHSEMA.ppt The Basic shifter is used for the Basic, Enhanced Basic and Fuel Economy software packages.This shifter limits the amount of driver interface with the transmission, allowing it to remain in Economy mode and operate in the most efficient manner at all times.i-Shift can be trusted to provide the right gear for the right conditions every time. The Basic shifter has no +/- buttons and prevents the driver from operating the vehicle in the way he is used to “hearing it sound”. The Premium shifter is used for the Performance, Comprehensive and Gentle Shift software packages. When equipped with the Premium shifter, I-Shift comes with two selectable personalities - Economy and Performance/P+ modes.The shifter also adds the feature of manual shifting capabilities to the transmission and is recommended for Owner Operators, Vocational and Heavy Duty applications where additional driver interaction may be desired Basic ShifterNo E/P or Up/Down Buttons Minimum driver intervention Premium ShifterFull driver Control Software packages for i-shift Eco-Roll®I-Shift’s unique Eco-Roll feature utilizes kinetic energy—thetruck’s motion—to make the vehicle more efficient on any typeof non-flat terrain, saving up to 2% in fuel when utilized.Eco-Roll allows the transmission to disengage the engine incertain situations, such as moderate hills. The vehicle will rollout longer, delaying the need to return power to the engine,saving fuel. The Hill Start Assist option will reduce or prevent such rolling back and the safety risk it represents. The feature can also provide reduction of driveline component damage by minimizing shock loads during start-up on a hill. It works by applying the vehicle brakes when in a forward gear and starting on an incline, or in a reverse gear starting on a decline, enabled by a dash-mounted switch. When it’s switched on, Hill Start Assist automatically activates when the truck is at a complete stop with the brake pedal fully engaged and the truck is in gear, forward or reverse. The triggering factor is the release of the brake pedal. Once Hill Start Assist is activated, the brakes are applied for up to three seconds or until the accelerator is pressed, whichever occurs first. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDR Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 You will learn all, grasshopper. For $1000.00 ! Ouch! 16.5 of those would have bought my truck! Curt 2001 Freightliner Century, 500hp Series 60, Gen 2 autoshift, 3.42 singled rear locker. 2004 Keystone Sprinter 299RLS (TT) 2 & 4 Wheelers! 2013 Polaris Ranger 800 midsize LE Our motto "4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 My trans is very smart. BUT, it (and your Freedomlines, Ultras and Autoshifts), cannot see the road ahead. I can. So I can keep the truck from upshifting on a flat in a long hill climb when I KNOW the road is going to climb again just ahead. I believe one of the features of the Premium shifter is its ability to "sense" grade change and shift appropriately. Pretty soon, we'll all be out of a job. 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted April 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 I believe one of the features of the Premium shifter is its ability to "sense" grade change and shift appropriately. Pretty soon, we'll all be out of a job. My truck does that very well. Unfortunately, it does it when I don't want it to. There is a particular spot going into my neighborhood with a short, steep down hill followed by a steep, longer up hill. The I-Shift shifts up twice on that short down hill and of course is very surprised by the following up hill grade. I agree that this is a one-off circumstance and I have learned to compensate for this by dropping down into manual mode prior to going down the short hill, but I did want to share it as an illustration of how the I-Shift cannot see what's ahead. I have had similar problems pulling onto the interstate from a downhill on-ramp that turns to up hill before merging into traffic. If it was a manual truck, I would have maintained a higher RPM before merging knowing that I was going to be going up hill soon. "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 If you hold the +/- button on the premium shifter while in Drive mode not manual mode you can keep it from down-shifting (hold + button) or hold it from up-shifting (hold - button). Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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