A few questions about shifting 8 Speed.

Hello, I am a new truck driver. I have about 2 months of experience driving an 8 speed transmission. I worked with an owner operator who didn’t really teach me how to shift, and more times than I can count he shifted the gears for me (I don’t understand why he did this). I have no problem shifting up, my main problem is shifting down. I recently got an offer for a $21 an hour job with my close friends company, it’s a small company and not a major one. My friend said the boss is willing to give me one week training before sending me out on my own. I haven’t been in a truck since last year June, so it’s been a while since I’ve driven. I’ve always had these questions about gear shifting:

1. What happens if let’s say I’m in gear 4 shifting to 5 with the splitter and I accidentally put it into reverse? Will the truck actually go into reverse?

2. I have always driven on long straight stretches of road on the trans Canada highway, I didn’t really ever have to shift gears often. With 10 speed the 25 mph 2+5 would be gear 7, but with a 8 speed what are the speed ranges? (The entire fleet is freight liner)

3. Is one week even enough time to learn how to downshift? I’ll be with the company trainer for about 10 hours per day for about 5 days.

My dad is also a truck driver, he told me once I figure out the speed ranges for each gear, it will become a walk in the park. Is this true?

If anyone is trying to bash me for not knowing how to drive manual and I already have my class A license, I got my license in Ontario, passed in an automatic truck, but I’m not restricted to driving only autos. I didn’t have enough money for a proper school (costs 5k for a reputable school). I had no choice but to get my license at a mill, which only really taught me how to pass the road test. I wasn’t really taught how to drive manual, except for what my idiot owner operator taught me which was only up shifting. On my final trip that I worked I was getting the hang of downshifting and was doing it without any assistance. But after that I became unemployed for 8 months trying to find a job.

I’m hoping there are some pros out here that can give me pointers on down shifting an 8 speed.

 

That’s my main freak out, when I’m pulling up to a red light and suddenly it changes to green and I’m rolling in neutral to the lights. None the less, I appreciate the tips!

 

Thanks dude! I really appreciate your advice, I guess I’m getting anxiety over nothing.

 

Wow man, thanks! I think this is one of the main points I have been looking at for weeks on end. I’m glad I finally found the answer. Once again thanks!

 

Ah I see, thanks for clearing up this misunderstanding. I’m still a new driver and still learning the different kinds of transmissions. I always thought it was 8 because of 1-2-3-4 High 5-6-7-8. No wonder I had a hard time finding YouTube videos for 8 speed.