Stupid question. No, I mean really stupid

When I first got into the truck I had the hardest time getting used to not pushing the clutch and shifting up to down. I had to re-educate my brain to double clutch and rev up the engine down shifting.

However, once I accomplished that shifting the beastie is easy.. I just got to remember to brake down to 25 before trying to get into 7th from 9th..

Ohh and the concept of starting in 4th, 5th or 6th gear didn't sit well with my Toyota brain at first either, but, I got past that..

As I said once tough to break old habits when your old..

 

My darn instructor would force me to downshift as we would approach any stop sign.
He would tell me WHEN to start downshifting, then I had to be in third gear at the stop! No more no less! Never tell a rookie to speed shift, if you want any crown on the gears left at the end of the session.
He was ex Cnd forces, and he was ignorant to everyone Untill they yelled at him. Then he was your friend.
I like to get along with people so I take a lot of crap. Never understood that kind of person.

 

I think I have to agree with that! I learned to drive stick back in 71 / 72 at 12/13 years of age (3/4 ton flatbed) and up to 5 years ago, had driven a manual truck. Old habits, like pushing the clutch all the way down when shifting is something these trucks do not like!

Just take your time and it eventually will come. Don't give up! We have a student in our group that has never driven a stick. He was nervous and made some mistakes as did I and another student and we have driven sticks. One of the instructors had me help him for a little bit in the coupling/uncoupling as it was just reverse, braking and going forward as it gave us both the needed practice and I had that part of the shifting down. Then I traded places with the instructor and then I did the driving practice. Today was my first day driving - Volvo with sleeper, and 48ft trailer, just in the training yard though thankfully. I learned quickly that I need time "unlearning" everything I know about shifting LOL.. Fourth trip, and it was "somewhat" smoother. lol.. Downshifting is another story, at least for me!

 

See there! Listen to him! Don't do what I suggested. Listen to him!

 

Well, let us not bring up that rude man that felt the need to plaster himself against the grill of my truck. I'm just kidding! I've not hit anyone ...............................................yet.


Actually my fleet manager checks up on his drivers. Not only does he bounce around the terminal watching us he's known to go out and watch his drivers on the road, at stores etc. I like my fleet manager, he cares about his drivers and he cares that his drivers are good.

 

You will do this and you will do a good job at it. You see, it'll be more than just a job. It'll be you reclaiming yourself. I'm just sooooooo excited for you!!!

 

Your advice is good too ....

Thanks Nana. Im glad you have confidence in me. Im excited to. I cant wait to talk to a couple of schools now...

 

Everybody has been great. Thank you so much for all the advice and encouragment...Ill be lurking around...

 

It takes time and practice to learn, but if you want to learn, you'll get it. The best bit that helped my out when I had no idea where to go with my 10 gears at whatever speed was this:

Your speed: 15 MPH
1+5 = 6 (6th gear)

25 MPH
2+5 = 7th gear

35 MPH
3+5 = 8th

45 = 9th

55 = 10th

I drive a 10 speed, so this really helped me out. I would imagine an 18 would be a little different, I dont know. But once you learn where the shift points are in your vehicle, and where RPMs meet ground speed in perfect harmony, shifting will be a piece of cake. Just pay attention, dont just move the stick around, grinding all the gears and not learning a thing...pay attention to RPM and speed, and a few weeks into it.....nothing to it.

 

An 18 speed drives pretty much the same as a 10 speed if you skip gears. Well a combination of a 10 speed/super 10. The only time I used the split was when under heavy load/hills.

When I started driving I had some trouble with the double clutching, and mainly down shifting. My instructor told me to put the adams family tune in my head. That was the timing you need to make it flow. Worked pretty #### good too. I don't think I've used double clutching since school though.