I've never really had much trouble shifting, but like everyone else occasionally I miss a gear. Usually it happens when upshifting, instead of hitting the correct hole with the shifter I hit the gate (and miss the gear) or if the truck is bouncing around hit a gear to one side or the other of the one I want. My gut reaction in this case is once the rpm's are down to slowly raise the rpm's with the throttle and apply a light pressure to the gear selector, when I feel the trans is ready to slide into gear release the throttle, stab the clutch, then slide the selector into gear. I kind of figured this technique on my own, driving around the yard and it has always seemed to work pretty well, at least for down shifting at low speeds. However my instructors have always been strongly against this, instead they insisted that I hit my 'target' rpm, press the clutch, then put it in gear. I understand the principle behind this but it has never worked for me and I end up coasting, hitting different rpm's, press the clutch, clash gears, repeat, until finally I end up in a gear that I wasn't trying to hit. Worst of all I always feel like when I DO get the thing in gear it's more due to luck than really knowing how to recover from a missed shift.

I just passed my road test and got my CDL. Starting next week I'll be looking for a local job, my biggest fear is that when a prospective employer road tests me I will miss a gear and not be able to recover without stopping, or without getting into a dangerous situation - thus ruining my chances of a job.

What do you seasoned drivers recommend for recovering from a missed gear? And, can the transmission 'synchronize' between road speed and rpm with the clutch pressed, or must the clutch be disengaged to do this?

All drivers miss a gear every now and then. That's just the nature of driving big rigs. I suggest that when and if you take a road test, just slow down. The problem with missing gears is that most of the time the driver did not properly prepared to shift. The rpms drop and you eventually miss the upshift. Thus, when a gear is missed, you get nervous, you're fumbling around in neutral, and the truck is gradually slowing, and eventually you end up stopping. Remember, in high gears, get your rpms up to 1500 - 1800, then shift. In low gears, when downshifting, you should get your rpms down to about a 1000, then idle into gear. Try this. Let's say you're in 6th and you attempt to shift to 7. You miss it. Get the rpm's back up, return to 6th and try again. See what I'm saying. The main thing is that you recover and keep going. But remember every truck is different. Over time you will get better. Good luck.

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Driving a ten speed right now. It seems like when i miss a gear and i'm between 7-15 mph (corners particularly), for some reason 5th gear always seems to work best. Kind of a "go to" gear in times of panic. Maybe has something to do with being in corner of gear pattern...? I don't know, but never lets me down. To pass along some sage advice from an instructor here, "If whatever you're doing ain't working, try something else." Another nugget might be, "GET UNDER IT!!!" I hear that one in my sleep.

Granted, there is alot 4 a junior driver 2 consider n look 4. However, I found that by keeping a frequent glance 2 guages in my sight pattern was the begining 4 excellant gearing. Once u recognise n remember what gear u need # that speed n rpm, u will then learn 2 manipulate ur rpm 4 accel n decel or as u set up 4 a pull thru a turn. After a spell u will glance less n rely on ur ear n rythmn. Practice smooth, not fast. Next u should practice ice shifting. Therafter it will be the norm.

Takes patience n time. Practice, practice is everyday n every differant truck u climb in will be differant n u must adjust 4 it - and/or the load.

Smmoooth...

First u got ur CDL, now you'll use it 2 learn 2 drive

I had to read this post 3 times just to figure out all the 1 letter words, numbers and special characters. But I finally cracked the code.

I didn't answer ur question(s). Can't effectively answer bcuz I ain't behind the wheel of ur test truck. I just do it, adjust to do it better, and polish it off.

U wanna b my student? I'll let u drive 4-600 miles a nite while I sleep behind the curtain...haha. Good luck w/the local job

After a few attempts u might consider going OTR with a trainer and, upon completion, put u in one of their company issue trucks. U can learn while u earn. After u pay enough dues u will b worthy a few of them local jobs

It takes time, not everyone can just pick up the art of shifting overnight.

I am still working on floating... Which is very interesting with a tranny that doesn't like to let go sometimes lol... It's probably me messing up though. Been working on it for like 2 months now, still have a ways to go.

Just remember, when you're trying something new, do it when nobody is in danger (including yourself) also make sure the equipment is safe. In other words, don't try floating for the first time while climbing the rockies. I do the most experimenting when I get those night deliveries on the weekend, empty lot, no yard-dogs.

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are you double clutching or floating?it seems like your troubles are more to do with nerves than anything.in a ten speed you should try to be in sixth at around 12-15mph.if the trouble seem to be on curves that require that speed,like on off ramp for example you may be getting anxious about the shif(gear selection)you are either using to much rpm or not enough,is your foot on the brake and aplying pressure and slowing the truck while you are trying to shift? could there be a slight incline slowing the truck while you shift?could be a decline you are not aware of accelerating the truck.theese will all effect the rpm you use to select the gear your looking for.try next time just taking it out of gear for the shift and just riding the syncro for the gear you want just enough to get some minor grinding(not much though)and slowly raise rpms until it goes in,then do the same thing using your brake slowing down rpms until you find the gear,this will tell you if you are raising rpms to much or not enough for that particular gear,this also tells you what rpm that gear likes to be engaged