How hard is manual shift?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by lupe, Dec 28, 2010.

  1. Raincatcher

    Raincatcher Light Load Member

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    I started out on Mom's '59 Ford TANK three speed, Dad's '51 Dodge pick up with four on the floor and then bought my '53 Ford also with a standard transmission. For the first 25 years of driving all I drove was standard transmission vehicles ( I also tooled around Portland in a 38' 1952 Bluebird school bus for nearly a year). I know a lot has changed, and have no problem learning the new ways. Thanks for the input. :biggrin_25514: :biggrin_25525:
     
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  3. Lady K

    Lady K Road Train Member

    In school they told my husband to keep it in gear at a stop. He was stopped at a railroad crossing and the train took about 10 minutes to pass (going REALLY slow) - his left leg was aching that night!!
     
  4. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    in real life, thats when the yellow knob gets pulled out!

    or the johnny bar
     
  5. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    I'd rather have a manual shift over these new fancy-dancy automatics any day. I feel like I have more control over the truck with a manual. But then, I keep thinking I want to replace the automatic shift in my Jimmy with a manual shift, right up until someone points out how much money will be needed for such a conversion. As far as company policy on whether or not to use the clutch, I've never had some company policy wonk riding in the truck beside me to see whether or not I'm actually using the d*mned thing. Might be different these days, what with all these d*mned computers on the truck, though.
     
  6. FriedTater

    FriedTater Keeper of The Snakes

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    Plenty a scary thing is taught in those Schools
    Primary reason "Stunt Drivers" struggle so . . . . .
    It takes twice the time to unlearn,then it does to learn it right from jump.


     
  7. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    I agree...

    and the whole "in gear in case of emergency" concept, chances are, if something big/dangerous were happening that close to you, you'd probably pop the clutch and stall it right there.
     
    wulfman75 Thanks this.
  8. jbshadow

    jbshadow Light Load Member

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    I got real comfortable as soon as i kicked the trainer out of the truck.:biggrin_255:
     
  9. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    That's probably for the DMV test. During the test you can't take it out of gear when you are stopped. In real life, you can if you need/want to.
     
  10. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Back to the OP...

    I am having a hard time with shifting. I just can't seem to not crunch gears, even though I am the king with shifting in a 4-wheeler.

    It is very frustrating for me, but I am improving with experience.

    My mentor just recently remarked that I shift better when he is back in the sleeper, that maybe I feel intimidated when he is watching me. That could be so, but when I test for going solo I'll probably be grinding those gears again.
     
  11. AZS

    AZS Honk if anything falls off

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    Don't worry about that, my mentor makes this sound like he's getting stabbed when I grind the gears. He's an o/o so I get to hear how much the tranny costs, great don't mentor then #######. No argument then. lol.
     
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