How to recover from lost gears?

Learn how to count your gears and know what gear you are in by the placement of the stick.

 

Your profile says Trucker 15 years. I would say that if that is correct you need to see a specialist for Alzheimer's. You really should have figured out what gear you are in somewhere before you 4 year. Unless you are a Swifty.

 

When I started learning how to drive, I had the same problem. Trick I was taught was to memorize the shift pattern and feel where the shifter is before you shift. If need be try to figure out what range of speed each gear is i.e. 4th gear on my truck (10 spd) is between 20-25km/h. Eventually it just becomes second nature.

 

Find/learn your "idle matches". What speed and idle rpm matches what gear. Example: 700 rpm and 35 mph might = 5th.

 

If you haven't figured it out in the first 15 years, there's always the next 15 years, so hang in there, it's about to happen.

There's only so many gears. Just look at the rpm's on your tach when you're shifting up, allow a little dropoff when you're slowing.

Or you can go by touch. Just feel the gears, the truck'll tell you where to put the stick.

Last option? Guess, then crash 'em in. Those Eaton Fullers are strong.

 

This is one of those things that you will have to be patient on. It will come to you with time. Every week stacking on 4000 miles it will come to you. Took me 2 weeks or roughly 8000 miles to feel like i have that part down and i still need more practice.

 

Grind it till you find it!

 

Not sure if this will help but we were just taught this in class (might still work even after 15 years) Check your speed (example 15mph 1+5= 6th gear-bring rpm to 1200) and plop it right in there. But remember this only works for gear recovery not cruising at highway speeds, because you do not want to over rev your motor.

 

Don't you mean engine?