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Shiftin' Question

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Female Driver, Mar 8, 2012.

Page 1 of 16
  1. Mar 8, 2012 #1
    Female Driver

    Female Driver Medium Load Member

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    First, let me start with a completely irrelevant comment to this post. I passed my general knowledge, combination and air brake tests today and got my CDL permit. Passed on my first try - yay me!

    Okay, so here's my question:

    My father in law just showed me around his truck tonight. I'm dying to learn to shift, so I asked him to show me how he does it. Well, he doesn't really do much. All he does is use the clutch to start off (2nd gear) and after that, he just moves his shifter into place without using his clutch.

    He said he wasn't even really sure if he's supposed to use the clutch, or if he used to a long time ago, but now he just gets the truck at about 1500 rpms, and then puts it into whatever gear he needs.

    Is this normal? Is he doing it wrong? I did hear some grinding. If it helps, he had 9 gears.

    I'm just a little crushed that there wasn't more to it. I wanted to see some double clutching in action. I love to shift, but dang if he wasn't doing less in his rig than I do in my little 5 speed Scion xB.

    Mind you, I start classes on the 19th of this month, and am fairly trucking ignorant, so I'll need the replies to be dumbed down a bit. I want to be assured that he's doing it wrong, or it's just the kind of truck he's driving. Tell me I'm going to be doing something much more complicated.

    Thanks!
     
    Female Driver, Mar 8, 2012
    Female Driver, Mar 8, 2012
    #1
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  3. Mar 8, 2012 #2
    ewill71

    ewill71 Heavy Load Member

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    He is doing it right. the clutch should be used to start and stop only. Some people cant do that and that can be bad on the clutch. It looks eas watching someone do it but if your timing or RPMs are off its hard.
     
    ewill71, Mar 8, 2012
    ewill71, Mar 8, 2012
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    Female Driver Thanks this.
  4. Mar 8, 2012 #3
    Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    there are two methods to shifting a non syncro trans, floating (what he is doing) where you use the fuel pedal to unload the drive train to remove the gear shift into neutral and then match rpm's to road speed and gear selection for it to slide in.

    the other method is double clutching and essentially your doing the same thing but you clutch in slide out of gear release clutch match rpm clutch into the next gear. this is the method you should get taught in school, after driving a while your appreciate floating.
     
    Ezrider_48501, Mar 8, 2012
    Ezrider_48501, Mar 8, 2012
    #3
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  5. Mar 8, 2012 #4
    wolf river

    wolf river Bobtail Member

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    You will learn how to double clutch in your class. For the test you will also need to show the tester that you shift by double clutching. Once you are out on the road you will learn how to "float" the gears. All of the trucks are a little different mine likes 1300 rpm - too low and she grinds to high and she wont go in. Once you get the hang of it - its pretty simple. Good luck in school and all I can say is practice every chance you have at odd backing angles. It not all text book situations.
     
    wolf river, Mar 8, 2012
    wolf river, Mar 8, 2012
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    Female Driver Thanks this.
  7. Mar 8, 2012 #5
    Female Driver

    Female Driver Medium Load Member

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    Good to know.

    So at school (and when showing off to someone about how hard driving my rig is, lol), I'll double clutch.

    I suppose it'll get quite tiresome to push in that clutch umpteen times a day. I'm glad to know the "float" term, too.

    Now if I can find some poor sucker to let me drive their truck before school starts, lol. I'm so excited!

    Thanks for the info!
     
    Female Driver, Mar 8, 2012
    Female Driver, Mar 8, 2012
    #5
  8. Mar 8, 2012 #6
    ewill71

    ewill71 Heavy Load Member

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    it does get tiring, But in school and on the driving test you will need to double clutch.
     
    ewill71, Mar 8, 2012
    ewill71, Mar 8, 2012
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    Female Driver Thanks this.
  9. Mar 8, 2012 #7
    DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    Like everybody said, learn double clutching for school. Youll probably end up floating out of school when you get on the road.

    I still double clutch. Its just my preference.

    sent from DrtyDiesel
     
    DrtyDiesel, Mar 8, 2012
    DrtyDiesel, Mar 8, 2012
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    Female Driver Thanks this.
  10. Mar 9, 2012 #8
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Transmission manufacturers require the double clutch method. Schools teach the double clutch method. Companies require that their drivers use the double clutch method. DMV requires that the double clutch method be used during testing. Drivers float gears because it's less work. Don't fall into that trap. If you want to be a professional, then do it the right way. If you want to look and feel cool, then float the gears.
     
    windsmith, Mar 9, 2012
    windsmith, Mar 9, 2012
    #8
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  11. Mar 9, 2012 #9
    Female Driver

    Female Driver Medium Load Member

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    See, as of right now, it seems that double clutching is way more cool than floating gears. At least to me, and when I'm showing off my "mad trucking skillz" to myself and others (who don't know any better), lol. This floating business seems too easy.

    That said, I could see me taking the easy way someday, but perhaps not. I like that you said it "professionals" do it the "right" way, and I do love me some clutching.
     
    Female Driver, Mar 9, 2012
    Female Driver, Mar 9, 2012
    #9
  12. Mar 9, 2012 #10
    Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    ummmm huh? how does floating gears make you "look cool" i mean seriously no one else but you knows if your blowing your knee out double clutching or if your floating the gears.
     
    Ezrider_48501, Mar 9, 2012
    Ezrider_48501, Mar 9, 2012
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