DOWNSHIFTING-GOT PROBLEM

[bameyi]

HEY GUYS GOT PROBLEM WITH DOWNSHIFTING WHERE SHOULD MY rpm BE BEFORE I START DOWNSHIFTING ANY HELP WILL WORK. THANKS

[AmEagleDrvr]

Speed is the key. Slow down to (Volvo)

50-45 9th
35 8th
25 7th
20 6th
15 5th
10 4th


rpms generally 12-1500 depending on speed. Shifter wiil drop right into the slot at proper rpm AND speed.

[BORN2DRIVE]

Rpms' should be at 1000 or slightly above before going down a gear. Then rev it up to 1500 rpms' or slightly above. Let off the fuel, as the needle starts to drop go to your next lower gear.

[silvan]

HEY GUYS GOT PROBLEM WITH DOWNSHIFTING WHERE SHOULD MY rpm BE BEFORE I START DOWNSHIFTING ANY HELP WILL WORK. THANKS

It really depends on your truck, your load, whether you're going up or down a hill. As a rule of thumb, you should aim to drop a gear when you wind down to around 1200 RPMs, and you should aim to put it back in gear at around 1700 RPMs. In the real world, this varies wildly. I don't look at my tach anymore, because it's just too confusing trying to reconcile what it says with what I'm doing to make my truck purr like a kitten. Sometimes I shift low, sometimes high. Sometimes I "progressive" shift, and sometimes I stroke every gear all the way up. It just depends on the terrain, the load, everything.

It's no wonder they're trying to put automatics in trucks for new drivers now. Learning all this stuff and getting it down pat is really hard. It's more of a dance than a science.

[Drew10]

Learning all this stuff and getting it down pat is really hard. It's more of a dance than a science.

I totally agree...I dont like to say its "really hard" but more of a learning
curve, that can be quite challenging. Many variables can determine
when a shift is needed, whether its an upshift or downshift.
Rules of Thumb may be helpful during inital learning but the variables of
of "real world" application will greatly vary the rules of thumb.
With considerable practice and learning of the sounds of the engine and
the motion of the truck you will learn to shift without the use of the tach
or speedo.
One think that is a constant the engine rpm must "match" the roadspeed
for any particular gear that is to be selected, whether upshifting or
downshifting.
It really takes alot of practice. Always be aware of your roadspeed either
by observing the speedo or by motion, and be aware of the rpm of the
engine by observing the tach or engine sound

[got mud?]

HEY GUYS GOT PROBLEM WITH DOWNSHIFTING WHERE SHOULD MY rpm BE BEFORE I START DOWNSHIFTING ANY HELP WILL WORK. THANKS

watch your tack as you up shift and then shoot to hit those numbers when you downshift if you up shift at 1500 and the tack drops to 1000 then you to pull it out at 1000 and put it back in at 1500. dont worry after a while you will just feel all of this and do it without thinking.

[cdreid]

But Ignore specific numbers. First poster was talking about a 10 speed i assume. All trucks dont have 10 speeds. Or his particular engine etc.

All trucks are different. Depends on a lot of things.. like how bad your gears are worn, kind of tranny, engine etc.
Heres an Example:
My newest truck has a c13. Less torque. Has to be downshifted higher than the c15's i drove. I downshift it at 1300+. Note with a light load on flat ground i generally upshift at 1100-1300.. maybe lower. Key is to find where your truck loses power. And shift a comfortable margin beforehand. You can downshift a lot later up a 5% grade carrying 30k than you can up a 7%+ grade carrying 45k. The trick is to keep your rpm comfortably high. YOu can "tweak" it later.
A lot of drivers are "lazy shifters" too. They upshift slowly (nothin wrong w that..).. and going up a grade they know their truck so well they can downshift the same. I shift FAST and i doubleclutch.

Good thing might be to try on little bitty hills.. even flat land to get used to it. Gluck

[bameyi]

THANKS GUYS FOR ALL YOUR HELP. IT SURE DO HELP APPRECIATE IT. WELL I JUST PASSED MY CDL TEST TODAY WILL GO GET MY CDL LIC. TOMORROW.

1. MY NEXT QUESTION IS WHAT THE BEST WAY TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR AS A TRUCK DRIVER. LET ME GIVE YOU SOME INFO ABOUT MY SELF IF IT WILL HELP YOU ALL. BECAUSE IF I CAN HANG IN FOR ONE YEAR I KNOW AM CUT FOR TRUCKING.

2. AM SINGLE SO I DON'T NEED TO MUCH OF HOME TIME.

3. I INTEND TO GO WITH CFI. AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST YEAR ALL THINGS BEEN EQUAL, AND AS THE RECRUITER HAVE PROMISE.

4. ALSO WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO CFI HAVE OR WILL THEY PUT A NEW DRIVER IN.

5. IS THREE WEEK/7500 MILES WITH A TRAINER ENOUGH FOR A NEW DRIVER TO GET THE BASIC SKILLS AFTER SCHOOL BEFORE GOING SOLO.

[cdreid]

1. MY NEXT QUESTION IS WHAT THE BEST WAY TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR AS A TRUCK DRIVER. LET ME GIVE YOU SOME INFO ABOUT MY SELF IF IT WILL HELP YOU ALL. BECAUSE IF I CAN HANG IN FOR ONE YEAR I KNOW AM CUT FOR TRUCKING.

'

Remember that Stress and fatigue are your enemies. Conquer those and its cake.

2. AM SINGLE SO I DON'T NEED TO MUCH OF HOME TIME.

Dont EVEN Tell your dispatcher or company that. Cause they WILL take you seriously.

3. I INTEND TO GO WITH CFI. AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST YEAR ALL THINGS BEEN EQUAL, AND AS THE RECRUITER HAVE PROMISE.

Never heard a bad word about cfi.

4. ALSO WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO CFI HAVE OR WILL THEY PUT A NEW DRIVER IN.

Kenworths

5. IS THREE WEEK/7500 MILES WITH A TRAINER ENOUGH FOR A NEW DRIVER TO GET THE BASIC SKILLS AFTER SCHOOL BEFORE GOING SOLO.

Depends on the driver and trainer. Just be Careful when you get in your truck and dont try to impress anyone. No preventables makes recruiters and companies lust.

Id already bet fairly big you'll make it btw. Like you said.. attitude is the key. A year from now ill see you at a dock and you'll be helping me back.

[dquietype]

I have the same problem with downshifting in a Volvo ('94) with an Eaton Fuller 10 speed split transmission!!! Have only driven it twice will be in it full time within a matter of weeks. Need advice fast!!!

[dquietype]

I forgot to mention that I'm also practing in a 9 speed Freightliner (like I had in school back in '03) and I have the same problem downshifting it too!!! The Volvo will be my primary truck. Need advice on both!!!

[bameyi]

got to Joplin today got checked into holiday inn hotel that was a big impression on me that's a four star hotel, so they must be treating their drivers right. well will keep every one updated on the good and bad for the next three month if i will say.

[VitoCorleone99]

got to Joplin today got checked into holiday inn hotel that was a big impression on me that's a four star hotel, so they must be treating their drivers right. well will keep every one updated on the good and bad for the next three month if i will say.

If you think that's a four star hotel, you'll love it out here. I guess it's all relative.

As for CFI's 13 speeds, the people at Crowder College will teach you all you need to know about the shifting which, believe it or not, winds up being a pretty insignificant part of the job.