[unkut2003]

Can someone please share some advise on how to properly downshift? Ijust can't seem to get it without grindin em... ops:

[inmate1577]

The day you stop grinding gears will be the day after you retire from trucking :lol:


Other than it being mechanical, it just takes time to get it right. Where you might be struggling now.........a week from now you'll probably wondering what all the fuss was about.

[Kranky]

You might want to peruse the following threads:

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...t=downshifting

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...t=downshifting

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...t=downshifting

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...t=downshifting

[unkut2003]

I appreciate it guys! I have NO problem with up shifting, but when approaching a light or stop sign or whatever..... I always try 2-4 gears before I find the right one, hahaha! With a 10 speed gear do YOU normally start out in loaded/unloaded??? Personally I go with 4th and then work it up... :wink:

[BIGDave]

Watch the speedo when upshifting, learn the speed of each gear and the you will know which gear to shift in when you start accelerating again. Practice makes perfect.

[silvan]

Originally Posted by unkut2003

when approaching a light or stop sign or whatever..... I always try 2-4 gears before I find the right one, hahaha!

So do I, if I get caught off guard. I especially have trouble with this super 10. Which side of what hole. Poke. Nope. Poke. Nope. Flip, poke. Click. Ah, there we go!

Probably the difference between me and you is that I'm only poking just hard enough to feel if the gear is right. Just a delicate little rub, instead of the GRRRRR, GRRRRRRRRRRRRR, GRRRRRRRRRR, ka-CHUNK you hear out of some drivers. Like me 10 years ago, for example.

[Mr. Ford95]

ka-CHUNK

There goes the tranny.....

I shift by sound and feel. I hear the rpm's and feel the speed to know what will go in and what won't.

[Deus]

Originally Posted by unkut2003

I appreciate it guys! I have NO problem with up shifting, but when approaching a light or stop sign or whatever..... I always try 2-4 gears before I find the right one, hahaha! With a 10 speed gear do YOU normally start out in loaded/unloaded??? Personally I go with 4th and then work it up... :wink:

With a straight 10, look at the speedometer when you have to skip a few gears down shifting.

Good way to do it is add the two digits together in your speed.

15 = 6th
25 = 7th
35 = 8th
etc etc etc

These are pretty good shift points. Though I think they are a little on the high side, for example 35 mph would be a high 8... Going any faster than 35 probably want to grab 9th gear while keeping the tach low when you rev the engine. Of course depends on the grade you're on too.

It will come, don't worry. But definatly use the speedometer.

As for starting gear, our trucks never really get that heavy so 3rd is as low as I need to go. If I'm empty I start in 4th. Lowest I've needed to go was 2nd gear starting out in a flat parking lot.

Oh and if you're rolling at all, 5th gear usually does it. So if you're coming to a stop light, slow down before the line of traffic and grab 5th gear and then just roll up to the light. If it changes before you come to a complete stop you should be able to just take off right away in 5th gear. If you have to come to a complete stop, the moment the wheels stop turning grab your starting gear right away. Once you get a little better at shifting you'll be able to grab your starting gear while still rolling a little even with the clutch in but you have to time it perfectly. Takes some practice.

[fuelman]

RIGHT ON THE MONEY DEUS!!!

when i was training for the tankers my trainer asked me why in the hell are you down shifting so much?? He has a couple million miles under his belt
and said if you are watching the traffic ahead and know you need to stop just let up on the throttle and let it bog down till your almost stopped then throw it into 4th or 5th just before stopping. He said its excess use of the gears and if you need that engine compression to slow you down then your going too damn fast in the first place!!!

my 2 cents worth,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[eoplocust]

cool tip i am as rookie as can be right now so if anyone's got any more shifting advice please leme know. sometimes i grind going from 2-3 for some reason starting from first. also it eems like i can only downshift if i rev the engine to almost 2k in the truck i use. maybeits the truck but if not it would be good to learn a little more. i did it find in school but u know how that goes.

Originally Posted by fuelman

RIGHT ON THE MONEY DEUS!!!

when i was training for the tankers my trainer asked me why in the hell are you down shifting so much?? He has a couple million miles under his belt
and said if you are watching the traffic ahead and know you need to stop just let up on the throttle and let it bog down till your almost stopped then throw it into 4th or 5th just before stopping. He said its excess use of the gears and if you need that engine compression to slow you down then your going too damn fast in the first place!!!

my 2 cents worth,,,,,,,,,,,,,