Downshifting with clutch

when you up shift look at tach to see the general speed for each gear. I've driven all kinds ,new and old, I get in a diff truck and crap I can't shift easy !!?? The trannies all have their own personality. moved to a new Volvo 2 yrs ago from an older one and the tranny was tight, had to bump clutch to get it out of gear to down shift. you'll figure it out.

 

thought about this later last night.

Most transmissions I have found it easier to shift if I slip it out of gear, all the way across neutral and back to the gear I want to go to, then slip it into gear.

(as a side note: When did "Float" become the term for "slip shifting"?

 

You are absolutely right but so many rookies get caught up in watching the tach for every shift.....it really doesn't make it easier....it just makes you more nervous that you don't have it exactly right. Shifting properly takes time and is easier to do when your relaxed about it.

 

I agree. My teachers HATED driving me because I never looked at the tach or the speedo.

 

drop rpms to 1k. float to neutral, bump the fuel to about 14-1600 depending on motor/tranny combo, then bump clutch to gear down

 

This may seem obvious but I don't believe anyone has mentioned it yet...
And, well, it is something you learn in the first days of driving but, wth -

Don't press the clutch to the floor.
Most of the trucks I've driven only require an inch or two.

 

>eaton18< and >madmax< both have it about right. Depress the clutch far enough to slip it out and into gear... : To down shift - while taking it out of gear increase your RPM(usually around 400-600 RPM) If you want to be really mean to yourself!(this was forced apon me) -Cover your Tach with a piece of cardboard or paper...it will be very difficult at first and may take awhile but once you start finding the holes you be able to drive any truck!! HaHa Adios and Goodluck

 

I didn't know trucks could go 6000 RPM.

 

ahh--i may have been unclear about that- i was refering to the # of RPMs needed to downshift...