Driving a manual

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by d_man, Apr 22, 2014.

  1. d_man

    d_man Bobtail Member

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    Ill be starting school with a company in a few weeks and the only problem is I dont kniw how to drive a stick. Once I get started I can change the gears easily but its getting going I have a problem with. Do the company schools TDA teach you or am I screwed.
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    They will teach you. Which company you going with.?
     
  4. d_man

    d_man Bobtail Member

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    Central refrigerated
     
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Shouldn't have any problem; they will teach you.
    You're already ahead of many new drivers; you can shift. Starting off, just don't give it any gas until the clutch is engaged. You will learn to give it gas at the same time the clutch is engaged without even thinking about it.
     
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  6. dude6710

    dude6710 Road Train Member

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    Don't worry I passed one that was going 40 today for several miles. I don't think he could shift either.
     
    Pmracing, Chinatown and d_man Thank this.
  7. d_man

    d_man Bobtail Member

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    Thanks! That makes me feel better
     
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  8. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    When you say you don't know how to drive a stick, you're referring to the manual transmissions found in cars and light/medium duty trucks? If so, you're probably better off not knowing how, because the manuals in these Class 8 trucks are much different in how they operate, namely in that you time the shifts, whereas car and light/medium duty truck transmissions have a synchronizer gear which brings the input and output shafts to the same speed... shift the transmission in a Class 8 truck the way you do one of those, and the end result won't be pretty.
    Honestly, I'd say it would've been better if you'd learned how to work the clutch but not how to shift, because granny shifting is a habit you'll have to be broken of now. Anyhow, don't sweat it. Thousands of others before you were able to figure it out, and that includes some who would find themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum from, say, rocket scientists. If they can get it, so can you. Just don't make a mountain out of a molehill. And yeah, shifting does seem daunting and complicated at first, but after a little while, it'll be like second nature, and you'll wonder how it ever seemed like such a big deal.
     
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  9. Stinky Dairy Air

    Stinky Dairy Air Light Load Member

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    After clutching into gear, hesitate for a fraction of a second before giving it fuel. This will help smooth things out a little. Good Luck
     
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  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    You won't use the clutch too much anyway after you learn to float the gears.
     
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  11. madman118

    madman118 Light Load Member

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    You'll learn how to shift. Honestly I believe that shifting a truck is a lot easier than a car and their stupid synchronizers. They're more forgiving on the start than the little engines in cars too. Get it wrong though and you'll know. Don't sweat it, I was apprehensive about the 10 speed and all that. Turned out just fine.
     
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