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Downshift floating

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Rthiery, Apr 7, 2013.

Page 1 of 6
  1. Apr 7, 2013 #1
    Rthiery

    Rthiery Bobtail Member

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    Apr 2, 2013
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    Ok I think I've finally learned floating going up gears but when I hit traffic in Austin and San Antonio I found my self struggling to float downshifting. I'm at about 67k pounds so I've tried to get my rpms up and tried watching the tach but still find myself having to throw it in neutral and recover at 7th or 6th and am grinding like tony hawk. Can someone with more experience help me out? Thanks
     
    Rthiery, Apr 7, 2013
    Rthiery, Apr 7, 2013
    #1
    AchioteCoyote Thanks this.
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  3. Apr 7, 2013 #2
    G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    Your rpm's need to be higher downshifting than upshifting. You NEVER want to force your transmission into a gear, up or down. You should be able to downshift at around 1500-1700 rpms.
     
    G/MAN, Apr 7, 2013
    G/MAN, Apr 7, 2013
    #2
    AchioteCoyote and Kickstand-117 Thank this.
  4. Apr 7, 2013 #3
    Okieron

    Okieron Crusty Okie

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    muskogee, ok
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    Try going over a LITTLE bit and let it come down when it slides in you know where your window is. also listen and you'll learn to do it by ear.
     
    Okieron, Apr 7, 2013
    Okieron, Apr 7, 2013
    #3
    Kickstand-117 and Rthiery Thank this.
  5. Apr 7, 2013 #4
    skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    The Village, Portmeirion
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    Next time your putting along off the interstate and you shift try to downshift back to the previous gear. keep shifting between the two gears and you will get a feel of how much you need to bump the throttle. listen to the sounds, you'll get it.
     
    skellr, Apr 7, 2013
    skellr, Apr 7, 2013
    #4
    Rthiery, jowsuf, Lepton1 and 2 others Thank this.
  7. Apr 7, 2013 #5
    Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Rosamond, SoCal
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    It is exactly the same principle as shifting woth the clutch, you must match your rpms with the road speed. First learn to shift period. If you learn to shift correctly you will be better than 75 percent of the driver on the road.

    400 rpm differential between the gears.you have to drop road speed first, till your down to say 1100 rpms, alide into nuetral, bring your rpms up to 1500 and with gentle pressure i will slide into the next gear down.
     
    Powder Joints, Apr 7, 2013
    Powder Joints, Apr 7, 2013
    #5
    jparm, newbie driver and Rthiery Thank this.
  8. Apr 7, 2013 #6
    TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Perhaps it's the location. Nobody likes driving between Austin and San Antonio.
     
    TripleSix, Apr 7, 2013
    TripleSix, Apr 7, 2013
    #6
    arata954, n3ss, NewNashGuy and 3 others Thank this.
  9. Apr 7, 2013 #7
    hawkjr

    hawkjr Road Train Member

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    Feb 28, 2010
    Virginia
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    Beats being in between New York City and New Haven, CT
     
    hawkjr, Apr 7, 2013
    hawkjr, Apr 7, 2013
    #7
    Rthiery, newbie driver, Honch and 3 others Thank this.
  10. Apr 7, 2013 #8
    muff

    muff Light Load Member

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    Dec 20, 2010
    ontario,Can
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    Agreed ! That`s why they make automatics. Too many drivers can`t shift and are too lazy too learn . Give it time Rithiery it will come. Do they ever make a bang when you top a gear ...lol. Ouch
     
    muff, Apr 7, 2013
    muff, Apr 7, 2013
    #8
    newbie driver and Rthiery Thank this.
  11. Apr 7, 2013 #9
    MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Do it by feel and sound ignore the tach.
     
    MJ1657, Apr 7, 2013
    MJ1657, Apr 7, 2013
    #9
    Rthiery Thanks this.
  12. Apr 7, 2013 #10
    ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Houston
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    I had a truck once that just would not float, no matter what I tried. All the advice on here is good, just practice, you will get it.
     
    ethos, Apr 7, 2013
    ethos, Apr 7, 2013
    #10
    Rthiery Thanks this.
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