DOWN Shifting

Cabhappygal, I think this is some kind of 'initiation' game for us newbies. My school instructor never double clutched, my trainer never double clutches. But I HAVE to always double clutch? I've double clutched ALL five gears in high and low range trying to find 'it'. I even did sixth in high one time (You never know until you try . After I've worked myself into a excited sweat, my trainer yells, "Take your feet off all the pedals!" He then reaches over and slips it into gear without a tiny 'klink'! I did find one benefit for double clutching the first time I was home. I had gone to bed with my wife, and had worked myself into an excited sweat. Without even thinking, I double clutched. My wife calls it the 'Crete maneuver' and wants me to learn more.

 

Have any of you ever heard of anyone that failed training? I did! The biggest reason is because I couldn't down-shift. I had two trainers. They both yelled at me and made me very nervous. It seemed like I couldn't get anything right. I was very embarrassed as I have never failed anything like that before. Im trying to find another job. The company who failed me said they would give me the option to resign which I did. Please give me some advice and alittle encouragement.

 

My personal technique for downshifting a truck I'm not used to is to keep it in whatever gear till I drop to 1000 rpm for a single gear down, 800 if I want to drop two gears. Light Clutch out of gear, release clutch/stage the shifter, barely blip the throttle, light clutch and its in the gear I want.

I've never had the technique fail to give a smooth downshift with any engine/tranny combination. After I learn a truck the clutch is no longer used except on grades.

 

hello chuckster I agree with 25 and keitht I think trainers should be the cream of the crop, which most of the time thats just not the case, just another logbook to use, more money to be made. you can do anything u put your mind to, the only thing stopping people from achieving their dreams is the same person they see in the mirror

 

When I downshift I tap the clutch while I pull it out of gear but after that I float into the next gear. 1000-1200 before downshifting to the next lower gear.....unless I'm downshifting while climbing a hill. If I'm climbing a hill and I'm nowhere near the peak I will grab either a full gear at 1400 rpm, or I will grab a half (8 direct to 7 overdrive, etc.) if my feet are in a dancing mood.

If I am on flat ground and want to grab 2 gears I'll drop the rpm to 8-900rpm and then grab two. I often skip two gears when slowing down for a light and go from 5th to 3rd, or 6th to 4th.

 

Did you not learn to downshift in school?

That is one thing they are suppose to teach you.

I learned a little about downshifting in school but it was polished in training at the company as well as the rest of driving skills.

 

Experiment with this, it works.

Most trucks shift up or down with a 500 rpm split.

Watch your tach next time you shift.

If you use a clutch or not it is still the same. I will tell you my theory on using the clutch in a moment.

Example;

When upshifting

Drive up to let's say 2000 rpm

Clutch to neutral, release the clutch pedal, let the rpm drop to 1500 and quickly clutch to the next gear, see the 500 rpm split?

Now if your floating the gears (no clutch) it is still the same 500 rpm split. Just watch the tach as you shift up gears next time

Nowwwwwwwww

Down shifting is the same 500 rpm split, BUT you have to have the truck in the down shifting range, usually (not always) below 1600 rpm.

In other words, BEFORE you even attempt a downshift, slow the truck down either by letting off the throttle or letting off the throttle and lightly applying the brakes until the rpm is under 1600.

Once you slow down to say 1500 rpm, clutch to neutral, LET UP THE CLUTCH PEDAL, REV UP the engine to 2000 rpm and quickly clutch down a gear.

Here is another thing that ALL drivers should know.

The bottom 1 inch of travel of the clutch pedal activates the clutch brake.

The clutch brake is used to stop the gears from spinning so a driver can put the truck in first or reverse while the truck is at a complete stop. Well when your driving and up or down shifting you should avoid "clutching" to the floor because this will stop one set of the gears from spinning not allowing them to mesh together and this causes grinding. You have probably been told to only clutch half way on the pedal? Well that is why.

Now as for not using the clutch,

I consider the clutch the fuse of the drive train.

You wouldn't install your high dollar radio or cb without using a fuse would you?

The clutch is basically just to protect the drivetrain from power surges from the motor. Have you ever floated gears and accidently missed a gear and heard that loud BANG as it pops out of gear? That can just destroy the drivetrain. By pressing in the clutch it disconnects the power away from the drivetrain lowering the chance of destruction.

Hope that helps someone?

 

I now drive the Reg Ten speed , but it does seem easy to drop 2 when in towns and needing the engine to slow you down.
When I was doing the Drive away, I was getting into something different Every week, Sometimes a super 10 or 8, and Straight shifts, some Auto shifts, and some that only auto shifted on the 8 high gear. 18 speeds spit rears, etc. when I was starting it drove me crazy until I figgured out that it was really not so hard once you could gently feel the gears. I quit using my hand to GRIP the shifter, I just use my finger tips, that way I can, (1) be more gentle, and (2) feel it better. As the RPMs drop while up shifting, I pulled out of gear and got ready to upshift, I gently hold the shifter untill the RPMs have dropped about 500 RPMs and my fingers are feeling it better than my eyes, and then I quickly with just the finger tips, slip it into the next gear. When Down shifting, by breakng, I slow my RPMs on the truck of mine to about 8 to 900 RPMs and touch the clutch (sometimes), then pop it out of gear. quickly tapping the fuel to bring the RPMs up to 1300 to 1400 (Takes practice) then gently with just finger tips pop it down 1 gear, or I push the fuel a bit more to 1700 and drop 2 gears.