Shifting in a turn?

The getting up to speed after turn is why you failed, the reason I feel from your description is by starting in 3 and going to 4 you were probably low rpm on 4 going into the turn, by the time you complete that turn you would have to downshift to third in order to get the truck up to speed at approriate time. By the time you make your turn straight with your method your 4 is probably riding super low 'blow-a-seal' rpm and its gonna take you forever to lug your way out of that mess. Also First and Second are not just for show.

 

You can easily get into the 15 to 20 mph range in 4th...that is plenty fast enough for the turn. Were you in 4th and then just idling through the turn?

 

Was it a left turn? If so I think clearing the intersection might take precedence over some pedantic don't shift in a turn driving school mantra.

Disclaimer: I am a metro driver and I will change gears when and where necessary, except crossing tracks.

 

I`m in my third week in CDL school, i`m doing pretty good except for Double-Clutching any ideals on how to make it easier on myself? Also, do companies want you to Double Clutch? Thanks.

 

its easier on the clutch and the transmission if YOU DONT...some companies want you too...some dont. i have been on raod tests for a company before and asked them how they want it done, and they told me to do it the way i drive..so of course i floated them, that will come in time..

 

Yup. Especially when pulling a load. I was taught to start out in second, shift immediately to third while going straight up through the intersection, prior to swinging wide while making a left turn. Then quickly shifting to get up to speed without over revving. This works well with an empty trailer, but I figure that when it's loaded I'll be starting in first.

 

You ask me it sounds like he is going by well I drive a car and these big slow trucks are in my way so I'm gonna fail the ones that don't drive quick enough for my liking rule. They do that at one of the ones by me, they will take you down IL83 in the Chicago suburbs and if you go much less than a couple miles under the speed limit they fail you.

 

The tester did say "you don't want to p*ss off the cars behind you." I started in 3rd, shifted to 4th before entering the intersection, with my foot on the accelerator. I waited until my trailer was in a straight line with my truck, then shifted on up. That was how SAGE had instructed me to do. If I'm allowed to shift before that point, then when?

 

As a former instructor I can say, if you are in your third week and still having trouble shifting, you are behind the learning curve. I assume you are being taken out on public roads now where there is a lot more to think about than shifting. Learn the speed to gears and keep practicing. Upshift is just rhythm...clutch to neutral..clutch to gear. downshifting is like marching...left (Clutch to neutral) right (raise rpms) left (clutch) to gear. hope that helps a little. Also, schools teach you to double clutch to give you more room for error.