Shifting without a tachometer

My tach has not worked for a few years, it’s on my “to do list” and I’m not in a hurry as you can see.

I been trucking since 1979, driving trucks with most engines, all 6/71, 8,12V71, 8V92 Detroit’s, 855 Cummins, and my present truck 3406E.

So here’s the thing, I can drive without watching the tach as I posted(not working). Just by the sound of the engine, the feel of the cab inside and by the pedal, I know when to shift up or down. Of course I’m watching the pyro, manifold psi, oil pressure and water temperature, all above come in place when you need to shift. But on level straight ground I just shift blindly going through the gears.

Would you call it “Experience” ?
In my professional opinion I would say absolutely yes. You can’t always rely on gauges in case they fail. You need to get a feel on what your seating on.

Just wanted to share this with anyone who willing to think about it and practice it.

 

Good practice. Little more difficult when someone slipseats with different engines and trucks. I don't ( slipseat) but could see how that may be a problem..mayby?

 

you actually know how to drive a truck, is all. lol
Been out here 35 yrs and can do the same. have been asked at what speed at RPM I shift, have no idea. my ear tells me.

Different truck takes a few to get it right, but not that hard.

 

I knew a guy that drove one of those old Cornflake cabover Freightliners.( yeah, that dates me) He said it had 3 gauges, speedograph ( and clock) an air pressure gauge and coolant temp,,,THAT'S TRUCKIN',,,

 

The one with the engine sticking out from under the back of the daycab cabover. What a sight those used to be.

 

Yep, with the big air tank on the side of the cab, and when they tipped over, the cab would be straight up in the air. He said they were like 290 Cummins and 7 speeds. In a stiff wind, pulling doubles, he said sometimes he never got it into 7th.

 

My instructor in driving school kept telling me to use the tach. I find there's just waaaayyyy to much #### going on to be staring at the dash for 2 or 3 seconds every gear change. If you're in tune with your machine it talks back to you.

 

That doesn't take that much experience, ive been doing that since about 3 weeks after I started driving my truck, you miss a gear once in a while but you gotta learn somehow.

 

A 290 Cummins was a big motor compared to the 237 Mack I started on..

 

Most of the vehicles I've driven have not had a tach. Funny thing is, the few automatics I have driven seem more inclined to have a tach than the manuals. Needless to say, it's not a gauge I pay much attention to.