Newbie switching from automatic to ten speed

You can keep your 10 speed. The cool kids run 13 and 18 speeds.

 

You don't run a lot of hills do you?

 

Keep practicing until you feel less nervous.Ask your boss if he will give you a quick lesson.A company I drove for they put me in a super 10 first time I ever drove a super 10 and my first load was in Minneapolis.Yes I was nervous but once I started driving I started feeling more comfortable.You can do it.

 

I'm a driver trainer. When down shifting, make sure you slow down way, way more than you think you have to, well before you need to. You're going to be in the mind set of just shifting fast. Don't. Train yourself to think slow. F*** the 4-wheelers that honk. You're being safe and learning.

 

And the really cool MEN drive twin sticks.

 

I was a trainer for a year. The average trainee got in my truck with 10 hours behind the wheel, fresh from school.

There were two big problems with shifting by newbies. The first MAJOR problem was throttle control. They would either floor it or get COMPLETELY off the throttle.

The second MAJOR problem was the "Mohammed Ali jab". They would get it out of gear, either floor the throttle or take their foot completely off the throttle, then try to jab the shifter into the gear HOPING in the nanosecond the rpm's matched it would work.

Learn to EASE off the throttle and EASE into the throttle during your shifts. Use your fingers to GENTLY NUDGE the shifter toward the gear instead of palming it hard into the gear.

Once you get the hang of it you will absolutely curse the company that wants you to drive an automatic.

 

I barely passed my cdl test grinding gears the whole time. Then I went to work for an automatic company like yours, now I feel limited for future options, lacking the confidence to apply to a company that isn't 100% automatic. I'm not sure I'd even want to drive a manual tractor anyway. Aren't most local companies everywhere manual?

 

Real men doesnt touch any stick except his.

 

I did the same: Learned how to drive at CDL school on a 10 speed, worked for TransAm driving an auto, then took a job driving a 10 speed.

Frankly, I was awful on the 10 speed for about the first half day when I took the new job, not sure how I passed the driving test. It was all fine after that. Turn off the jake brake. The jake will make shifting more difficult, especially on Volvos.

If you are having trouble shifting, DON'T LOOK DOWN AT THE SHIFTER to find a gear. Keep your eyes on the road and drive the truck first!

 

I am not a fan of 10 speed trans, especially since I learned on an 18 and mostly drove 13/18s. The 6th gear shift in particular I think is dumb and often is pointless in my application, so I generally drive them like an 8speed and get along much better with them that way.