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Question about downshifting..

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by FreightlinerGuy, Dec 17, 2010.

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  1. Dec 17, 2010 #1
    FreightlinerGuy

    FreightlinerGuy Medium Load Member

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    Hey all,

    I have a question about downshifting.. Let's say your traveling along a highway, and your going 55mph(10th gear hi-range), and your approaching a traffic light that is red.. Do you slow to a stop while going through all gears from 10th hi to 1st while coming to a stop? Or do you just downshift into say 9th(45mph), then to 8th(35-40mph), and 7th(25mph), and then just come to a stop, and shift to 1st(low) again?


    I mean you dont have to go completely downshift through gears correct?
     
    FreightlinerGuy, Dec 17, 2010
    FreightlinerGuy, Dec 17, 2010
    #1
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  3. Dec 17, 2010 #2
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    correct you don't have to go through all the gears, you can skip gears up shifting and down shifting

    Depending on how far away I was I would jake and brake down to 50 grab 9th then jake and brake and grab 7th then just jake as I get closer and grab 5th and stop in 5th and put it in whatever gear I want to start in.


    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Dec 17, 2010
    American-Trucker, Dec 17, 2010
    #2
    rocknroll nik, Flying Dutchman, Tapeworm and 2 others Thank this.
  4. Dec 17, 2010 #3
    FreightlinerGuy

    FreightlinerGuy Medium Load Member

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    Cool thanks for that reply. I'm getting ready to hopefully attend a orientation, and was just double checking proper downshifting for my hopeful roadtest.. =)
     
    FreightlinerGuy, Dec 17, 2010
    FreightlinerGuy, Dec 17, 2010
    #3
  5. Dec 17, 2010 #4
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    well for a road test I would take it easy and leave out the trick stuff (floating/skipping gears).


    and the way I said I would downshift above works really good with the jake.....like when your in school if you don't have or can't use (local laws restrictions) you have to use ALLOT more brake to down shift like that, the jake helps allot for down shifting.



    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Dec 17, 2010
    American-Trucker, Dec 17, 2010
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  7. Dec 17, 2010 #5
    wildbill123

    wildbill123 Heavy Load Member

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    On a road test get as many gears as you can get safely when downshifting, and use the brake for the stop. If you try to get to many gears in a short time it could cause you to appear to be in a panic. It could also cause you to goof if you try to get to many, just make sure you're not in neutral when you come to a stop.
     
    wildbill123, Dec 17, 2010
    wildbill123, Dec 17, 2010
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    wulfman75 Thanks this.
  8. Dec 17, 2010 #6
    Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    And don't be using the jakes in any road test.
     
    Lilbit, Dec 17, 2010
    Lilbit, Dec 17, 2010
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  9. Dec 17, 2010 #7
    rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    Instead of coming up to the light fast enough to stop, why dont you slow down enough where you can roll through in 5th, 6th or 7th. Dont always work that way but alot of times it sure does. That way, if its possible, it will show that you are looking and planning ahead. Try to keep 1st gear out of the equation, you wont need it unless you are loaded heavy and heading up hill, even vary rarely then. Good luck with the road test.
     
    rockee, Dec 17, 2010
    rockee, Dec 17, 2010
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  10. Dec 17, 2010 #8
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    I try to do this myself, that way you never have to stop, especially when loaded heavy...




    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Dec 17, 2010
    American-Trucker, Dec 17, 2010
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  11. Dec 17, 2010 #9
    Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    I do it like American-Trucker said. Been working for me
     
    Flying Dutchman, Dec 17, 2010
    Flying Dutchman, Dec 17, 2010
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  12. Dec 18, 2010 #10
    FreightlinerGuy

    FreightlinerGuy Medium Load Member

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    Awesome replies! Thanks so much everyone.. If anyone has anymore feel free. I think I will try to do the whole coming to down to 6th gear or so and try to keep rolling through... =) I'm sure on the road test it won't be loaded... but who knows.. I'm just ready to pass that physical, and get the ok on the road test, and get some more experience actually driving... I believe I can back pretty good, and upshift good, it's just downshifting, and turns that I really need to work on.. not much experience doing either in school.
     
    FreightlinerGuy, Dec 18, 2010
    FreightlinerGuy, Dec 18, 2010
    #10
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