Shifting

It took me a while to get real smooth at shifting. Seems like one day you just get in the truck and you just got it. Just take your time and try not to rev the truck up too much. And if you can memorize what gear the truck should be in at any road speed that will always help.

 

Keep the rpm's around 1500ish. Went to school with a few guys who wouldnt think about shifting until 2200 & besides the truck sounding like it was gonna blow up, you have to wait for the rpm's to come down, which means you coast for a while which isnt good. Shifting is easy, just keep them rpm's in range

 

Every truck is a little different in how it wants to be shifted. Some take longer than others to get used to. Heck, I've been driving my Prostar for 4 months now and still grind 'em once in a while, especially the 10-9 downshift, but I float up and down. If you are learning on a 10 speed, a tip I learned was if you get lost in what gear you are supposed to be in, look at the speedometer. Add the 2 numbers of the speed to get the right gear. 15mph would be 6th (1+5=6), 25 would be 7th (2+5=7) and so on.

 

I wouldn't worry...You'll get it, it may take a while or it may not..

 

The rear gear will affect any formula . So no one size fits all . I know this is a little rude , but you will need to learn how she sounds. Happy sounds , unhappy sounds. And give her what she wants , when she wants it . Once you get that down, you will be able to jump in anything and go. Good luck !

 

bigredford85, I just graduated Thursday and I was kinda sketchy on the shifting as well. I am surely no expert, but just recently being in the same situation, I'll at least share what I learned. I drove 8 and 10 speed KWs. When upshifting, I would run up to 2000rpm, clutch and go to neutral, wait for the rpms to drop to 1600 and then clutch and go to the next gear. When downshifting, I would get the rpms at 1500, clutch and go to neutral, put the fuel to it hard and then clutch and go to the next gear. This was especially helpful for me when on a grade. I hope this helps some. Good luck with school and just keep practicing. Dont think about it too much and definately don't sweat it if ya grind em, remember it's not your truck, you don't have to pay for a new clutch or tranny lol.

 

You are new at it. It will come. Timing is the key. Do not force anything. Just because the transmisson is big and heavy does not mean it is indestructible. You can destroy a 13 speed faster than a car trans. by missing a split or 2. Repeat, do not force anything. Think smooth.

Also, a little tip. Make sure to get in the habit when going into gear from neutral you utilize the clutch brake to stop all the moving parts before putting into gear. Yes the CLUTCH BRAKE. On a large transmission the gears are heavier and the transmission is still in motion when you go from neutral to gear. The clutch brake stops all the moving parts and you go into gear NOISELESSLY. Put the pedal all the way in to engage the clutch brake. Then release just a bit and put it in gear. All nice and quiet.

On a road test. A good tester will make note if you constantly rake the gears going into gear from neutral.

 

Yes this is a good way to learn. They called it 'double clutching" when i was learning.