Downshifting for a dummy?

Advanced technique, takes some time to learn but you'll get there.

First, stop using the clutch. It's unnecessary. Using the clutch in schools and (use them on any road test) but they are only to accustom you with the timing of getting RPMS and gears to align.
It may be necessary to tap clutch to get a tight gear to release but using it to shift is pointless really.
But advanced technique.

Use brake to slow while slightly applying pressure to the gear shifter in the direction to remove from that gear.

It will slip out or tap the clutch if truck starts to lug as this is the tight gear I was referring to.

Remain applying brakes to slow truck as truck is in neutral and then rev RPMS appropriately to enter whichever gear your speed aligns with. You can downshift multiple gears or all 8 with this method but you should never simply leave a truck in neutral until you stop unless one, its an emergency situation, or two you have completely lost your gearing and had to come to a complete stop to refind that gear.
Please if its the later, pull to the shoulder with your 4ways on as you continue to lose speed chasing gears.
As for any other reason to leave a truck in neutral while operating that vehicle is simply advice from a newbie, a steering wheel holder or an insanely lazy unprofessional truck driver.
You have technically lost control over your vehicle if you are rolling up to stop signs or red lights in neutral.

Just some friendly advise from a professional to help you guys out

 

Hi GB, 1st, I'd go by the tachometer ( do trucks still have those?) and remember, there's only a few hundred rpm's between gears. Biggest mistake I've seen, is people over-rev the motor in between gears. 2nd, I agree, don't even use the clutch ( except for stopping) If you gently "ride" the next gear, revving the motor slightly, you'll find that spot where it will go in, and make a note of that with the tach. As far as slowing down and downshifting, without an engine brake, downshifting does very little to slow the truck, except, maybe to insure you are in the correct gear when you let off the brakes. Also, if you get hopelessly lost ( just grinds) put it in neutral, even if rolling, push the clutch all the way to the floor. This engages the clutch brake and it stops everything from spinning, and you can get the stick in a gear. You may be way off, but it may get you going again. ( note: the clutch brake is not intended to slow the truck, and engaging it while in a gear may wear it out prematurely)

 

Yep. If I owned it, that would be the case. But as a company driver, when all else was ideal for what I wanted, I had to put my transmission opinions aside. I'm not out to prove anything, so driving an auto now and then doesn't hurt my ego. Many LTL companies other than my own are also slowly moving to autos because of supposedly better fuel mileage, so it may not matter much longer. I hate them for a variety of reasons, but they seem to be here to stay. I was just responding to the steering wheel holder comment. We have seasoned veterans of over 30 years who happen to love them and are hard workers, the furthest thing from steering wheel holders.

 

Hi Bob, I agree. I never thought I would even consider an automatic, but recently, I've developed a "catch" in my right shoulder ( rotator cuff?) very common with people like me who have shifted a billion times, and you know, if I would drive a truck again, I may have to have an automatic. I don't believe automatics give any better fuel economy, and a seasoned driver with a manual can do just as good, or better. I think it opens up their future employee base a lot more.

 

Good theory, but they always cite mileage as the reason. And they only road test in manuals.

 

My father, who taught me how to drive, started in the late forties. Both he and my uncle, who started about ten years later, used the clutch. They both explained that not using it wears a groove on the input shaft that compromises the clutch when you need it to work. Plus you avoid shocking the driveline when you shift. I have ridden with guys who religiously don't use the clutch, and they couldn't shift to save their lives. Their flawed technique came from not using the clutch. I admit that I am lazy, and don't use it frequently, but it is not because I think you shouldn't, just laziness.

Further, technically you are correct that putting the truck in neutral while the truck is rolling, seeing as most new autoshifts will put the transmission in neutral, someone doing so while coasting up to a stop, really isn't a problem.

In case you are wondering, I've had my license for over 30 years, and I took the test with a 4x4 transmission, so I do know how to shift.

 

I always use the clutch to downshift, and about 50% time to upshift. Like bean said you do abnormal where to your gearing and synchros when you jam ( float ). Once you know your truck, you will be able to feel the gear with a very slight touch. As for numbers, I've not really though about it, upshifting through 7th or 8th I never go above 1500. Downshifting I do by ear and feel, so I can't help ya there. I dc a lot cause when you miss, especially down shifting. and it barks at you and throws the lever back at you its just never a good thing, clutching gives you more range for the shift.

 

Getting a smooth shift is a matter of taking the torque pressure off using clutch and throttle. Or you can just use the throttle called floating gears. Done well I have heard no mechanics, or company drive testers tell me this caused extra wear. In any case you almost always need to adjust rpm with the throttle, I only have two feet so use three pedals as needed but you'll need to hit the throttle to downshift with or without the clutch. I downshift the high range, then hit a low range gear as I roll to a stop using clutch and brake to complete my stop. The distance, Your load and Jake operation will influence how many gears you use down shifting to a stop.

 

Heres a question, so when driving a 5 or 6 speed car I can just push in the clutch and gradually slow down and skip all the way to first if I please. Why can I not do this on a tractor trailer?

Like say im on the freeway and take an exit ramp I can just clutch in and slowly brake to a stop then swap from 5/6 to first.

 

You drive a vehicle with a steering wheel so you are infact a "steering wheel holder" good sir.