Panic situations/Downshifting

There are no general answers to your questions. There is lots of good advice in this thread. Slow down early, don't rush. Each truck and each person will use different techniques and have varying skill and comfort levels. Don’t operate past your skill or comfort level.

Here's something I think will help you. I'll give general examples since transmissions vary. Note the RPM drop when you up shift, if you shift at 1900 and it goes into the next gear at 1400, that is 500 RPM. When downshifting, go to the next lower gear at 1400, revving the engine to 1900 to mesh the gears. If you take too long the RPM's will be lower to mesh the gears. If you take longer you are at the top of a two-gear downshift (8-6) and the top of the RPM (1900).

When you get a little more comfortable find out what speed range your truck runs in each gear. Like maybe 7th gear is 38-46 MPH. This is a lot for a new driver. I'm not trying to make it scientific and this may not work for you. I'm very mechanical and this is second nature to me. If you know the approximate speed range of each gear, then you will know if you have to go 2 gears and a higher RPM, when you missed a shift, or 1 gear and a lower RPM.

As far as memorizing and perfecting this, it may take a while or never happen. If you can at least grasp the concept, you will be much better at knowing what gear you need for the situation.

 

Then all that changes whether you are heavy or light and going uphill or down... Hehehehehee
Or did I already post this? Its and old thread.

Mikeeee