Downshifting help

Still trying to wrap my head around this...........

 

If we are driving along and the tach says 1600 RPM, can we downshift at 1600? Yes, but we will have to bump it up to 1900 or 2000 to complete the downshift. This wastes fuel and is hard on the engine. So if we hit the brakes and bring RPMs down to 1100, then take foot off brake, we dont have to bump it so high, only to about 1500. So it goes like this:

1. With the clutch out, Brake to about 1100 RPM then take foot off brakes.
2. Clutch and Shift to Neutral, let clutch out.
3. With clutch still out, bump RPMs up 300-400.
4. Using clutch, complete downshift.
5. You can also do this with out using the clutch.

 

Yes I get what you are saying and your above post was/is very informative but.....I am of the opinion that you dont have to hit the brakes everytime you down shift even on level ground. Beings you drive in the city a fair amount of time I'm pretty sure you do alot of shifting but instead of using the brakes all the time, why not use your space and truck weight to slow down then downshift, instead of using up the brakes?

 

Yes, you are correct. Im always in a hurry and hauling ### to the next intersection, and I rarely down shift cause it wastes fuel. I let the truck slow down on its own then put in neutral and come to stop, (not recommended on snow & ice). However if I have to downshift in a hurry and my RPMs are high, then I hit brakes to about 1100 RPM.

Im going to edit my original post and say let the truck slow down on its own or use the brakes.

great advice pepper687, I agree with you, I just got in from my shift and thats what was working for me on the downshifts, get it to about 1100 pull it out of gear and bump it up to say 1500 and downshift...worked great, I was downshifting way better tonight, I even skipped gears on downshifting and it worked for me, so maybe I am catching on a little. upshifting not to bad I think maybe I am not letting my rpms drop enough when trying to up shift though. My truck seems to upshift aroung 1500 rpms that seems to be the range where it likes to shift in the high side. Thanks for all the comments its really been helping me out. low side is another question, I have a few issues there to work out as well any suggestions?

Its always harder to shift on the low side. If you're not heavy, try taking it up to only 900 or a 1000 RPM on the tach and then upshift, let it drop 100-200 RPM and then complete the shift. This will be a faster shift cause your RPM spread is only 100-200 instead of 300-400. But its easier to complete cause the RPMs are low.

 

I agree!!!!!
This is the last warning on the subject
Or infractions will be issued and this thread will be closed

 

Testing 1, 2, 3

 

I agree with you 100%. But dont be suprised if some old beatin down 350 cumins blows you and your 500 cat clear off the road. Your operating range will give you better fuel milage, but dont think holding it wide open will hurt your engine either. I believe engine life is primarily based on maintanence, not at what rpm you run it. A gas motor yes, but not a governed diesel. If the fuel has not been turned to it, you can hold that baby wide open 24/7 - 365 and never hurt it. The truck I own has not had a working tach or odometer for alittle over a year. I live in West Virginia a very up and down state, I haul logs, average load weighs in around 30 tons.(note: Load weighs 30 tons + Truck weight), and we are talkin about a tri axle with a light weight of 31-32000, 500 detroit 13sp. I pull alot of mountains on a daily basis without a tach or odometer. Now I told you that to tell you this, If I could not downshift by ear as you say I would have droped a rear or tranny long ago. Pulling that kind of weight up 9% grades where you have to down shift into low side (4th gear, not including low hole) you dont shift right and watch what happens. Now I'm not saying I never rake one but who doesnt, EVEN USING THEIR TACH. You just cant watch it ALL the time. But I believe you are telling him right, for a beginer. Just takes time, and I believe everybody has their own way, what works for them, you just have to put in the time to figure out what works for you. Personally myself I couldnt shift with a tach.

 

So when listening by ear what certain sound is there in the engine to know when rpm matches the road speed to shift up? Anyone in here drive a truck with an mbe 4000 mercedes benz with a ten speed? Downshifting whats the easiest way when floating? can someone explain what they do when they downshift when floating them?

 

Like someone else said, you'll develope an ear for it. Soon you'll be doing it without using the tach.
Now, I slip seat trucks every three weeks. Each one is slightly different, but after a couple hundred miles, it's like I'm in an assigned truck.

In every truck I drive, I clutch out when down shifting, goose the engine up 3-400 rpm and push in gear. Your rpm is basically a constant in that it's where things happen the smoothest. Doesn't matter what gear you're hunting for, be it up or down, the rpms are the same give or take a bit. You'll start to recognize the sound/rpms with a bit of experience. Good luck.

 

If you are in gear rolling with clutch out, your engine speed is matching your road speed no matter what rpm's your turning. And the sound your looking for is what the truck will sound like after the shift. When shifting by sound your NOT looking to shift at any certain RPM. You can shift at a low, med, or rap it tight RPM. The higher you run the RPM's up, the slower you move the stick, or you use the jake to kill the RPM's. The lower the RPM you shift at, the faster you move the stick. Just keep drivin. In the famous words of Johnny Cash , "Drive, Drive, Drive, n try to stay alive."