Matching gears with speed

Discussion in 'Canadian Truckers Forum' started by ganja24, Sep 27, 2016.

  1. ganja24

    ganja24 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 27, 2016
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    I seen YouTube videos that show this on 10 speed semi truck, which is a very helpful when downshifting and selecting the right gear by adding the 2 speed number is the gear.

    45miles is 9 gear
    35 is 8 gear
    25 is 7 gear
    15 is 6 gear.

    This method is great but as a newbie are all truck speedometer in Miles and kilometres? since I am from Canada. Is there another method for the Canadian if speedometer only has Kilometres?
     
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  3. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    That thing inside your head can be a useful tool.
    I've never seen one with only miles or only km.

    Go by RPM, almost always 400 RPM for next gear or 200 for split. Make small adjustments for incline or decline.
     
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  4. orcen

    orcen Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 30, 2013
    Brisbane, QLD Australia
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    That is useless because all motors and gear ratios are different
     
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  5. Tai

    Tai Medium Load Member

    Exactly. The 2014 prostar I drove cruised at 63 at 1400rpm. 2015 T680 cruised at 65 at 1400rpm and the 2016 does 63 at 1300rpm. clearly no set number here for rpm matching.
     
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I don't waste my time trying to memorize speeds or RPM for whatever gear. I just drive by ear/feel and check the tach from time to time.
     
  7. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Ontario Canada
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    That's kinda funny... I've driven 13 and 18 speeds mostly and regardless of the rear axle ratio, the split is always about 200 and each gear is about 400 .. just keep it in the power band and it'll do fine
     
  8. mowgli5555

    mowgli5555 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 6, 2015
    USA
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    After having my first truck, I realized all ratios and engines were a little different.
    It took me a few weeks to really get the hang of it.

    Also, I shift slower uphill and shift quicker rolling downhill. Missing a downhill shift blows, but then again... Missing uphill shifts can really slow your day.
     
  9. Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    Winnipeg, MB, CA
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    Don't bother trying to memorize road speeds. Every truck is going to be different. 10-/13-/18-speed. 22.5/24.5 tires. 3.73/3.55 rears.

    All of these factors will change what road speed each shift occurs at. The best way to learn is to just shift each gear up and down when speeding up or slowing down. Because you are going to get used to one truck, then all of a sudden, you are going to be put in and entirely different truck and be completely lost if you are relying on numbers rather than "feel".
     
  10. jeeper01ca

    jeeper01ca Bobtail Member

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    Nov 21, 2009
    Montreal
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    The way I have it in my head is (from 1-4) is a 5 km/h when you upshifting, so
    1- 5km/h
    2- 10
    3- 15
    4- 20
    Then it goes up by 10
    5- 30
    5 high -35
    And so on

    Then I got it by the feel, without even looking

    For downshifting, I use what ever speed I'm at with the next higher gear, so 5 km/h will be 2nd gear and 20 will be 5th
     
  11. Antler24

    Antler24 Light Load Member

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    Mar 1, 2017
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    Your just making things much more difficult by this way of thinking, not to mention it's just not correct.

    By your ways:
    41 you should be in 5th
    49 you should be in 13th

    Just stick to 400rpm for the full gears and 200 for splits and you'll be fine.
     
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