How to get a smooth take off

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by bcheyne, Aug 9, 2019.

  1. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    Y'all would die in my truck. 10 speed with about as much horsepower as the meanest lawn mower you can find at Walmart lol.
     
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  3. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    I split them all almost all the time, it's just easier and smoother shifting to me, that and I didn't buy an 18 to drive 13.
     
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  4. bcheyne

    bcheyne Bobtail Member

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    Aug 5, 2019
    TX
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    Yeah, I personally like the lower gears better for taking off but my truck school recommends 3rd gear and one instructor periodically pushes us to take off in 4th. I sometimes stall it out and it frustrates me cause I wanna have a smooth take off with no stalling.
     
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  5. bcheyne

    bcheyne Bobtail Member

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    Aug 5, 2019
    TX
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    There is a couple other people that stall it. Its really only mainly one of the trucks over the other 2 trucks I've noticed. Even though that truck is hard to take off for me and a couple others I wanna get it since I unfortunately get put in that truck more than I'd like.
     
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  6. bcheyne

    bcheyne Bobtail Member

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    Aug 5, 2019
    TX
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    Sorry, there all 10 speeds. They appear to be older model and dont seem to be well maintained. We are double clutching.
     
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  7. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    Sounds like your instructor likes making the mechanic adjust the clutch. geesh.

    I will shift them all, if taking off on a steep hill or pulling doubles at 151000 gross, but a standard load, usually not. Downshifting on a steep hill I just split the first time then grab whole gears or three depending.
     
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  8. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    On flat ground here's no reason to be starting out in 4th gear, it does nothing but burn up the clutch, and I wouldn't be afraid to say so. I'd just start in 2nd or 1st and start asking why if they tell you you have to start in a higher gear.
     
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  9. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    A clutch is just two discs in the transmission that you put together when you release the clutch. The one side close to the motor is spinning and the one on the transmission side is stationary, that is when you are when starting from a stop. You want to ease them together so it starts to spin the rear part of the clutch that connects to the drive line. not too fast, but not too slow.

    If it's stalling out, then you are probably letting off on the clutch too fast. Just ease out slowly untill you feel it start to grab, once the truck starts moving you can let the clutch out further.

    It's almost a two stage process. easy till it starts to move, and then you can let it out faster, but not much faster.
     
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  10. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    It also depends on type of clutch, button clutch (metallic) is grabby, no on and off easy, rag clutch smooth, kelvar lined, SMOOTHEST.
     
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  11. Woodchuck88

    Woodchuck88 Medium Load Member

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    New York
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    Dump the clutch and hold it to the floor
     
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