What speed to downshift 10 speed transmission?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Shaner.STL, Jan 23, 2019.

  1. Shaner.STL

    Shaner.STL Light Load Member

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    @x1Heavy thxs I will give that a shot!
     
  2. A Bug

    A Bug Heavy Load Member

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    Your gear speeds are similar to mine. If the instructor wants you to downshift faster in order to reduce speed more quickly, try five miles per hour faster when going down to 9th, 8th, and 7th. Instead of waiting till 45 mph going from 10th to 9th, do it at 50 mph.

    Just five it a quick rev between gears, you will get used to it, no other way.
     
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  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    This will get you in the ballpark, but like everyone else alluded to, trucks are like women. Every one is different and each has its own specific quirks and gripes. ;)
     
  4. Shaner.STL

    Shaner.STL Light Load Member

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    Haha true @MACK E-6 ! Thanks @A Bug , I will see if that works as well. Appreciate it
     
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  5. Buckeye 60

    Buckeye 60 Road Train Member

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    downshift at 10 ...... low range gears should shift 13 or 14 little more when you get into higher gears maybe 15 into tenth ..... it just wastes fuel to wind the engine. .... uphill you wind it up a little more. .. heavy also ... downhill a lot less and empty or light. .... it depends on you and your truck but should always stay between 10 and 15 .... if you shift and it drops below 10 you shifted to fast ..... do it right for awhile and you can tell by the sound of the motor ..... if you're downshifting and your getting up past 16 you went to fast ..... the idea of downshifting is to help slow the truck down to take some of the load of the brakes ....... now hills are different my truck I downshift at 10 but some your better off a tad higher ...... when on a steep grade and you have to go down from 6th it's better to go to 4th right at 10 and do it fast or you will be rolling backwards if you miss getting it in you will have to stop and start out in 1st or 2nd and won't be able to shift until it levels out .... it sucks going up that slow but sucks more for the people behind you but once you are out of gear going that slow you will be rolling backwards before you hit 3rd .. no hill that steep on the interstates but there's a few on the back roads or Pittsburgh ect. usually it's when you can't get a good run at it or some body stops halfway up
     
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  6. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    You're just right.
    Slog it out another week and then tell your instructor to go pound sand.
     
    VIDEODROME and Pumpkin Oval Head Thank this.
  7. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    In the old days a quick slap of the hammer would blip the engine to make a shift. Im not sure if you can "Kick" or slap a computer truck engine in this way today. Or even if will accept such a treatment. The opposite of that would be using the engine brake to instantly drop the rpms to grab gears and walk away.

    It depends on the truck. There are built a thousand different ways and then some. Not all are equal.
     
  8. SteerTire

    SteerTire Road Train Member

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    Use the tach. Brake it down to 900rpm. Shift. That way you’re looking for the same number every time.

    Depending on the year and model, you could be doing it at 1200-1500

    I always use 900-1000 as a downshift point on a steep grade with a heavy load. That way I know it takes the gear. Every time.

    Other than that, it’s by ear.
     
  9. Pumpkin Oval Head

    Pumpkin Oval Head Road Train Member

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    As others have said, you are correct....your instructor is a dick.
     
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  10. Shaner.STL

    Shaner.STL Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the input guys. Plan on trying them today.