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Double Downs - Downshifting

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by RedTheTrucker, Jul 29, 2015.

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  1. Jul 29, 2015 #1
    RedTheTrucker

    RedTheTrucker Light Load Member

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    Hey guys what rpms are you guys braking to for a double down 7 - 5 , 8 - 6 on a 10 speed manual and what are you reving to also a single downshift?

    And when your going up a little incline or decline

    My school says 600 rpm than rev to 1000 for double and then 800 rpm and 1000 rev

    Jus took the road test yesterday failed kus i stalled but all ready had 23 points out of 30 by the time i had did that almost all because of grinding gears and shoving it in to gear

    I was using the speed to know when to downshift but know i wanna use the rpm gauge trying to find that sweet spot any tips tricks anything
     
    RedTheTrucker, Jul 29, 2015
    RedTheTrucker, Jul 29, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jul 29, 2015 #2
    marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

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    For the sake of passing your test don't skip gears, it just complicates things. You can learn all that when you're done with your test. On a 10 speed it should be roughly 400 rpm between gears
     
    marineman227, Jul 29, 2015
    marineman227, Jul 29, 2015
    #2
  4. Jul 29, 2015 #3
    skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    You should be able to get into 5th at 10mph , 6th 15mph, 7th 25MPH, 8th 35mph. Give or take depending on different gear ratio.

    going by rpm is kinda finikey as the conditions are not always ideal, it's not a perfect world. try and listen to the engine and how it sounds in relation to your speed when you shift well. it will come to you with practice so try not to get too frustrated.
     
    skellr, Jul 29, 2015
    skellr, Jul 29, 2015
    #3
    texasbbqbest Thanks this.
  5. Jul 29, 2015 #4
    purpleprime

    purpleprime Medium Load Member

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    You should be past looking at speeds and rpms shifting those are just guidelines to get you started ed every truck will be different you have to hear and feel where to shift the truck will tell you what works best
     
    purpleprime, Jul 29, 2015
    purpleprime, Jul 29, 2015
    #4
  7. Jul 29, 2015 #5
    Pumpkin Oval Head

    Pumpkin Oval Head Road Train Member

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    Scranton PA
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    You do not have enough experience to skip gears...stick with hitting every gear for your first 25,000 miles. You need experience to learn when to skip and when not to. It is easier to float gears than it is to skip gears, imo.
     
    Pumpkin Oval Head, Jul 29, 2015
    Pumpkin Oval Head, Jul 29, 2015
    #5
  8. Jul 29, 2015 #6
    RedTheTrucker

    RedTheTrucker Light Load Member

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    I want to do this but i feel like if i don't double down its more chance of missing a gear when im down shifting and you can not coast more than the length of the vehicle on test day

    And when coming off the highway having to go from ten to five single gear shifting will kill me
     
    RedTheTrucker, Jul 29, 2015
    RedTheTrucker, Jul 29, 2015
    #6
  9. Jul 30, 2015 #7
    RedTheTrucker

    RedTheTrucker Light Load Member

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    Guys i been reading around and people say there is about a 400 rpm difference that is needed to downshift between gears so if i brake to 800 rpm rev 1200 - 1300 rpm for a single downshift and for a double downshift ill brake to 600 rpm and rev to 1400 - 1500? Will this work out on a ten speed?

    Im trying to go by a set of rules for test day like when upshifting in low gears i rev about 1000-1100 rpms and for high gears its 1500 - 1600 rpms and that seems to work everytime for me ..

    all i need to do is work on loading the clutch so i dont stall and get a formula to downshift and i will pass this test !!
     
    RedTheTrucker, Jul 30, 2015
    RedTheTrucker, Jul 30, 2015
    #7
    8thnote Thanks this.
  10. Jul 30, 2015 #8
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Hello red the trucker, I love the last 5 words of your last sentence, "I will pass this test" ! Yeah, you will. But first, jamming gears forcing it etc means you're not doing it right. With a 10 speed, you should be able to shift at about 11-1300 rpm's. A big mistake I see with drivers is them "red lining" the rpm's before shifting. I see it daily around town at stop lights with trucks starting from a dead stop and reving that beast up to 1900 rpm then shifting !I mean, come on, who trained them ? Up shift at 11-1300 rpm, down shift at 15-1600 rpm. Ask the examiner how he/she wants you to shift. I think you trying to downshift from 10th gear to 5th gear while approaching a red lite is absurd. Why beat yourself up ?
     
    Allow Me., Jul 30, 2015
    Allow Me., Jul 30, 2015
    #8
  11. Jul 30, 2015 #9
    Longarm

    Longarm Road Train Member

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    Who needs experience to skip around the shift pattern? I was taught from day one to skip gears both up and down. The thought of grabbing every gear needlessly is exhausting to me.

    You know, I can't help you with rpm/gear/speed formulas. I rarely even look at my tach anymore. I shift by ear like most do. One thing that might help you out is to rev the engine hard. Really get into it so you know your rpms are higher than needed. Then let the shifter gently rake until it falls into gear. Take a mental not of where your speed and rpms were when it fell into gear. I'm not an instructor but I hope this helps you out some.
     
    Longarm, Jul 30, 2015
    Longarm, Jul 30, 2015
    #9
    RedTheTrucker Thanks this.
  12. Jul 31, 2015 #9
    Bill51

    Bill51 Road Train Member

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    FYI, in Washington State, where Red is taking his test, I was told , by my instructors, that if you came to a stop at a stop sign or red light in the high range, you would be considered "not in complete control of your vehicle". Trying to remember, fairly sure that it would just be a points hit.

    I can't find it in the CDL manual, but I have no reason to doubt my instructors.
     
    Bill51, Jul 31, 2015
    Bill51, Jul 31, 2015
    #9
  13. Jul 31, 2015 #10
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    I just push the down arrow button twice!

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Jul 31, 2015
    Pmracing, Jul 31, 2015
    #10
    mrdot Thanks this.
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