Update: Failed My Road Test

How is it hard on the clutch?You just letting off the clutch and at the same time giving it some gas.Not rocket science.Much easier to start from 4th than from 2nd when empty as as it's too easy to go over 1500 rpm when starting from 2nd

 

that clutch works with the transmission for motion that brake pedal works with the brake drums and brake shoes to stop that motion

 

well that's you doesn't mean everyone should start in 4th.For the road test he should start in the gear he feels most comfortable in.We all know in the real world we make up our own rules how to pretrip shift ect.

 

Negative. What you're describing is say on a slight incline, feathering the clutch to use the transmission to hold the vehicle til the light changes. This is actively engaging power in the transmission; the clutch plates are actively burning against each other trying to 'go' but the operator is only engaging the clutch just enough to prevent the vehicle from 'going' forward. This is causing incredible heat and wear inside the transmission.

Best thing is coming to the stop, use brakes to hold vehicle still and clutch depressed about 1-1.5 inches in gear waiting your turn to go. This also has the positive effect of illuminating the unit brake lights for the other traffic's benefit.

 

This is why companies are opting for automatic trucks. Drivers abusing clutches and trannies taking off in the highest gear possible all the time. If I ever hire drivers the trucks they drive for me would be autos. I would kick a driver out of the seat on a road test for taking off in 4th gear.

Driving a truck is an art, a philosophy of safety. What is this idea or concept that everything has to be a race? Start off in LO gear and work through the gears slowly, progressively. Enjoy the experience. It is like welding. In welding one cannot rush the bead, it goes down x amount of burn and fill and x amount rate. Take your time and lay down perfect welds, perfect miles.

 

had some trainees in the past that said the instructor in class had them use 4th, I said while your with me I want you use 2nd to start off at stop, while I use 4th myself at timed I didn't and won't promote using 4th .. to a newbie , these companies switching to autos have a plan.

 

NO. Do Not use the clutch to hold the truck like a brake.. Use the service brake. Slipping the clutch to hold a truck can do extensive damage. O/O would kick you out of the truck and make you walk home if you did that in his truck

 

Yep, just graduated Tuesday and the CDL school were telling us to start from 3rd or 4th. However, when I took the test, they could care less what you started out in, just don't 'impede traffic' and stall out. I was more comfortable starting out in 2nd or 3rd.

I also had to learn not to do it like in a car w/ manual trans. Let out the clutch slowly - resist the urge to also give it gas. Like the others said - I had to learn to wait until it starts rolling before giving gas and shifting.

 

No.

Nothing on the clutch at the light until you are ready to go.

Riding the clutch will kill it sooo fast.

Keep that foot on brake. If it hurts too much use trolley. That foot should not cramp or hurt on a normal traffic light cycle.

 

Diesel. Or better ... fuel. Give it fuel.

Shifting a diesel is very slow. Relatively. There is great joy in shifting. If you had a B train with say a 18 speed manual You will discover that those 18 gears will manage your 160,000 pounds handily as long you don't make a mistake.

Eventually you won't think about shifting. The truck will talk to you grrrrrr hop hop hippoity hop... down shift RAR! Let's go.

I have a intent to buy a pickup or any similar vehicle that features a diesal and a slow shifting 5 speed manaul that needs about 1100 to around 1400 up or down on the tree to do well. Ive mellowed out alot in my time but those vehicles such as the then new dodges were very nice. I guess I might find a pete kit to throw on there for fun some day.