Is Double-Clutching "Bad"?

The trans rebuilder that I use sure is busy. I could never figure out why he is so busy since, from my own experience, even buying old previously enjoyed trucks, I've never needed to repair a trans. He told me that no matter how many times you float the perfect shift, everyone will make a mistake and that's why I am busy.

So then we came to the reason I was in his shop. I brought him a 13 speed that my newly hired driver had just tore up.

What the driver said: "something went wrong with the transmision. I was coming off the ramp (loaded) and I heard a big clunk."

What I heard: "I came off the highway too fast and I panicked a little and tried to float down into the wrong gear as I was coming to the stop sign."

Anyway, if I was a new driver like the OP, that might not have much goodwill in the bank at the new job, I would be DC'ing more often than not. The boss might not be as nice as me.

If you are determined to float, start by floating up and DC'ing down. I think most bad stuff happens on the down shift.

 

Not then either.[emoji4]

 

If you don't or can't float gears correctly on your shifts then you should be double clutching your shifts.
Double clutching is good for all, floating is for more experienced drivers.

Remember as well; Every time that clutch is pushed, you're loading the throwout bearing, clutch diaphragm, etc.. Double clutching all your shifts puts a significantly increased amount of use on the clutch system components as compared to floating.

 

I agree, but we are probably wrong more than 50% just because its always the drivers fault. Floating done correctly is absolutely harmless, that said anyone that says they "NEVER" scratch a gear (D/C or floating either one) is either a liar or driving an automated transmission of some sort.

 

I use a combination of both depending on conditions. Floating gears if done properly is harmless but learning to do it should probably be done in someone elses truck.

 

All these guys got it right. DC, for me probably 50% of the time. Really depends on traffic/road/weight! When I was at my first orientation in Dallas they had the lead mechanic come in and talk to us. He begged us not to do it. He claimed that "floaters" caused him lots of headaches.

 

You drive your truck and I'll drive mine OP. Don't let others make your decisions. It's your license. That said alot of these folks have never driven off road HH and you need all your skills doing that. Learn every way then use them when needed.

 

Guys, let's not forget that ALL the AMTs on the road float the gears, they don't DC, even the AMTs that have clutch control.
And even though it's commonly said that AMTs have 100% perfect shifts, that's not true in the real world. Although non-perfect shifts by AMTs are generally pretty rare.

 

I've never DC'd.

I might one clutxh to get out od gear. But have no problems gerting back into gear without the ckutxh.

I'm with packrat. Unless takeing off. I never use the clutch. And I've yet to have a trans repair.

 

Well mine is an I shift. But when I drive a manual, I only clutch to start and stop