In the ideal gear uphill or through bends – this is possible with the new, forward-looking GPS-assisted PreVision transmission control from ZF. And that also saves fuel.

What does a skilled, manual driver do even have a modern automatic transmission ahead? The ability to anticipate, to act with foresight. Estimating the route will, for example, allow him to switch back down before entering an incline so that the uphill traction is not interrupted by unnecessary gear changes. The same applies to downhill descents: Here too, an experienced road user will slow down and shift down early in order to use the engine’s optimum braking effect in good time. Both measures not only reduce wear, but also ensure considerable fuel savings.

In the ideal gear uphill or through curves

Conservation of resources, lower CO2 emissions and, of course, more shifting comfort are the goals of new, innovative transmission systems. With the forward-looking PreVision GPS shift strategy for the Traxon automatic truck transmission, the transmission manufacturer ZF shows what is currently possible with trucks and passenger cars.

While previous vending machines use various sensor data from the transmission, engine and vehicle to calculate points of reference for real driving resistance or the load and use them to determine an appropriate shifting strategy depending on the driver’s request (accelerator pedal position), the route profile to be traveled on is also included in the calculation for the PreVision GPS.

A prerequisite for the function of PreVision GPS is networking with a GPS system installed in the vehicle with topographic navigation map material. The software integrated in the transmission control unit also evaluates the terrain data such as inclines or curves in addition to the vehicle and journey data. This allows the transmission control to select gears and shift timing precisely based on forward-looking criteria.

Automatic rollout saves fuel

Not only can the optimal shift behavior when entering inclines and descents be influenced in this way, but also when exiting at the end of the incline you can shift into a more fuel-efficient higher gear at an early stage, which also minimizes fuel costs. There is also a fuel-saving roll function that can be used very efficiently via GPS. Namely only where the topography course makes sense. The satellite-based system therefore masters demanding routes, as even an experienced driver with extensive route knowledge could. Drivers without knowledge of the route lack the possibility of anticipation, the automatic system then has a clear advantage.