Don't they teach you this stuff anymore????

if i'm on a hill i let the clutch out a little bit before i let my foot off the brake. other then that i always take my foot off the brake, let the clutch all the way out, then put the pedal down.

 

I can see the clutch issue for a person like me that hasn't diven a clutch in years, but open doors?? that sounds more like common sense.

 

Im gonna ask this before some one gets embarrassed. Whats a clutch brake? Will it help me get it in gear with no grinding while Im at a standstill? "Gringing gears while stopped makes it sound the same as when Im under way"

It may be that there are fewer mechanics that know how to adjust a clutch brake properly. I think.

 

clutch brake is used for when you're going from neutral into 1st/2nd whatever gear you're starting from. you push the clutch pedal all the way down, hold on for a second, and it should slide into gear, might have to back off the clutch a little to get it to go all the way. NEVER push the clutch all the way down if you're moving.

 

If you put the pedal all the way to the floor WHILE STOPPED the clutch brake should engage so you can put the truck into gear without grinding. If you do that and it still grinds then it needs work. The major issue with clutch brakes are when a driver puts the pedal to the floor while the truck is moving. The clutch itself is not designed to handle that kind of friction and will it will cause damage if done. It's only designed to assist the driver to select a gear when stopped.

 

I have seen a few people get started backing up to docks with them closed, stop and open them. Tired I suppose. Never seen anyone pull out and start heading down the interstate that way.

No real good excuse for that one is there.

 

Maybe his trainer was sleeping in the sleeper.
or
The last load stunk so bad that he was just airing it out a bit.
or
He was going after those Eagles fans that tossed crap at his Giants sticker on the way in.

 

i do this sometimes do, i drive straight trucks though so no trailer brakes but i've pulled the parking brakes a few times when on steep hills (i'm more afraid of my foot slipping off the brake pedal). i always let the clutch grab just a little bit when i'm on a hill though, once i feel it catch a little i back off the brakes and let the clutch all the way out in one smooth motion, never touching the throttle. one thing i feel like they need to teach people or emphasize more is a truck makes plenty of torque to take off with out touching the brake. heck on the truck i am assigned i can shift 3 gears before i even touch the throttle.

little side note; we have a guy that got his CDL while working at this company so he's had no formal training, guy rev's the living crap out of the engine before letting the clutch out. i tried telling him he's going to burn the clutch out, didnt wanna listen so that was the end of my advice to him. best of luck to him and trucking