How hard is manual shift?

Newsflash,

Carnival cruise lines is going to ALL AUTOMATICS !!!!

Starting next month,.........

I'll post a link,

if I can find one !!!!!

 

I've tried using the clutch as I've heard that some companies have a policy to do it, but I really can't see the point. Shifts are as smooth without it, and it just seems to add work to something that doesn't need it.

 

Some companies want you to use "progressive shifting" which is using the clutch to shift at the lowest possible RPMs in an attempt to save fuel. Floating gears you have to rev up before you shift, and that defeats the purpose. Not saying I agree with it... just sayin'. I do about half and half.

On the original question - shifting the truck is easy if you already know how to use a clutch. If you don't, it takes a little more training, and a rhythm from "The Addams Family!" lol

 

So I guess I'll have to stop progressive shifting without the clutch now....

Really?

Not in my experience...All you do is lighten up on the throttle and it slips right out of gear.

 

Yep. Like I said, that was the explanation given to me... not saying I agree with it. That company I got used to using the clutch 'coz it was a company policy... now, like I said, I do about half and half.

 

That's how mine works, take the forward pressure off the driveline and it slides right out.

 

If you have car manual transmission experience it is very easy, just a change on how you clutch. If you have no manual transmission experience it's just a matter of having it demonstrated to you and then you practice.

In my experience shifting is a big looming monster for many prospects that becomes a tame ####er spaniel by then end of an afternoon or a day or two.

You will do it so much right from the start you can't help but learn it. It will be a process you do in the background of your mind after a couple of days, except for a few circumstances you will seriously concentrate for a few weeks or months. For example, you will dread the start from a dead stop going uphill, especially if there is traffic on your rear bumper. You WILL have problem downshifting long after almost everything else while upshifting (going to the next higher gear as in accelerating) is second-nature.

If your instructor/trainer wants you to only double-clutch or only "float" gears, do that and don't question it until you are in your own truck. It's much easier to learn only one way and let that become "your" way until you can do that without thinking and can diagnose any screw up you have. Only then should you experiment with a different clutching procedure.

Everybody will seem to make progress through almost all situations and then choke on one procedure many times you do it or have one of those days when you can't seem to do anything right. Don't become over critical on those days and undermine your confidence. Just recognize the errors and then concentrate on not making those again. Even if you just focus on doing only one thing always right until you can make more progress focus on that one thing and build on it.

There isn't an experienced driver on the road with a manual tranmission that doesn't grind from time to time or perhaps almost have to stop and start from first gear on rare occasion. The one exception are probably the liars.

I don't think anyone, after a week or month, will say it was harder than they thought to do 95% of transmission shifting. The normal pattern is to start to really think you have this monster whipped and not be able to downshift 10% better than you did on your first day.

The things I find help me are to take most city stret turns at the same slow speed and in the same gear. My instructor wanted that speed to be about a walking speed. The more you can standardize your shifting the easier it will be to make progress. Some of my trucks have roughly required a gear change at the 5 mph mark (5,10,15,20) and some the gear changes about when the 10 mph (10, 20, 30). Most of my trucks have me shifting, in low range, when the RPMs get to 1300-1400. Once I get into high range I let RPMs build to 1600. The engine/tranny combination will be different but look for the RPMs for low/high range shifts and also not about the speed of the truck when you change gears. Then at least when you have a surprise need for a gear change you at least know what "neighborhood" you should be trying for a gear. Slower road speed almost always makes things easier.

 

My son-in-law keeps insisting I need to disengage the gearshift when at an idle, such as at a stop light. Can this be true? I was taught that the vehicle should remain in low gear in case some sort of action is required.

 

I leave mine in neutral when I'm sitting at a light. I don't see any reason to sit there holding the clutch in and wear out my throwout bearing for a "just in case" and honestly, What are you gonna gain by having the thing in gear if something does happen?
You're not gonna be able to move it that fast anyway.
Also....What if for some reason your foot was to slip off the clutch pedal and the truck lurched forward and bumped the car in front of you?

Yeah...It's far fetched, But it could happen.

 

If you have never driven a manual car, try reading this thread. http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr.../126923-stupid-question-no-i-mean-really.html