Shifting at a red light

Look at your speed. That will determine what gear you should be in. Then bring your rpm's up to where they should be to put it in that gear. Don"t panic and don't just start revving it up and trying every gear.

 

pay attention to your road speed and learn when to shift THAT WAY too.

 

You're supposed to continue to downshift as you slow down; not downshift once, then just brake to stop. Then, once the light turns green, you're already in the correct gear to take off again.

 

At the company Im with they have us skip a we shift down. At school I learned to hit every gear on the way down. With my 10 speed now I slow to 30 and go into 7th, then 15 and get 5th, then 2nd right before you stop. I lik it much better, and Im always in gear if a light turns.

 

if you are not in gear and just rolling in nuetral you are not in control of your truck
if you need to make yourself a note with what speeds to be in what gear and paste it to the dashboard
eventually you will just hear the engine and will be second nature

 

Maybe part of the problem is you are coming up to the light so fast and then have to play catch up when it turns. If you know the light is red slow down gradually so you don't have to come to a complete stop. Not bashing you cuz I don't know but you ever notice how many people race up to the stop light/sign? Whats up with that? You don't have to down shift every gear and you don't have to skip just two gears. It's all gonna depend on traffic in front of you and your speed. Try braking and going from 10th to 6th or 5th but like was mentioned, learn what gear to be in for your road speed and approx. where the rpm's should be.

 

You need to learn what gear is relevent at what road speed and engine speed. Write them down to begin with and stick it on the dash and dedicate yourself to learn them. A quick look at the speedo and the RPM and you should know what gear to select. Many years ago my old trainer told me there are two possible gears for every road speed, one at 1100rpm and the other at 1600rpm. Every truck is different because of gearing, type of transmission etc but the theory is right.


Plan B. Drive an automatic.

 

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smith system-get the big picture..observe lights tht are stale(one color for an extended period of time), chances are its going to change soon..So start easing ouf of the throttle and prepare to slow down.