Shifting Patterns While Approaching A Stop Light. PLEASE HELP!

“Time to roll again? Clutch neutral, clutch rev, gear down and go.”

CWC thanks!

It’s so clear now I have no idea why this didn’t occur to me before? I’d panic and literally just start hitting pedals and trying to get that dam shifter into anywhere possible! Lol it’s so stupid it’s funny looking back at the couple times I did this!

Thank you everybody, you’ve all been extremely helpful! It’s nice to know that there’s really good people out there still that are willing to help a complete stranger! I’m truly appreciative

“Time to roll again? Clutch neutral, clutch rev, gear down and go.”

CWC thanks!

It’s so clear now I have no idea why this didn’t occur to me before? I’d panic and literally just start hitting pedals and trying to get that dam shifter into anywhere possible! Lol it’s so stupid it’s funny looking back at the couple times I did this!

SOMETIMES "anywhere possible" is the ONLY answer... BUT the CORRECT GEAR (for the situation/circumstances) or an EDUCATED GUESS is always better!

Stop Sign = Lowest High Gear (6th on a 10-speed)

Stop Light = Highest Low Gear (5th on a 10-speed)

Stop Sign logic was because we come to a full stop we can take the time to switch to low range and downshift as necessary.

Stop Light logic was if the light changes before we come to a complete stop we will be ready to roll. If RPMs and vehicle speeds are too low than a downshift is appropriate.

From what I’m gathering from the pros your dead on! Geez I wish my school would teach in depth like that. Thankfully there’s good people on this forum that have made it clear on what to do. I wish I figured this out before my road test, but hey next time!

Kyle said: "I’d panic and literally just start hitting pedals and trying to get that dam shifter into anywhere possible! Lol it’s so stupid it’s funny looking back"

I had to chuckle when I read that. What a great description of the universal trainee.

My instructor told me I had a knack for getting the right gear "by happy accident". I told him it wasn't an accident, it was pure instinct. He told me I was full of BS. Guess who was right?

One of the things to also keep in mind - is HOW STALE is the red light? One of the things they teach in Smith System, is to LOOK AHEAD.

A light that's been red for awhile, is going to turn green soon - so be ready to just keep moving. Conversely - a light that's been green for awhile, is likely to turn red - so be prepared to stop.

Gear choice is subjective. If you are slowing in 5th, but the gear is still engaged - you should be able to just continue in that gear. At NO POINT should you be "coasting" with the clutch in. Unless you're shifting, the truck should always be in gear, with the clutch out. Coasting is a BIG NO-NO, one of the reasons being - the scenario you are describing. If you're coasting, you may not be in the "proper gear" to proceed - which means FINDING the right gear. During a road test, this can be problematic. In real life - you're figure out quickly if you're not going fast enough to be in the gear you're still in without lugging. Clutch in - blip the throttle and catch the next gear down as the revs fall.

Rick

One of the things to also keep in mind - is HOW STALE is the red light? One of the things they teach in Smith System, is to LOOK AHEAD.

A light that's been red for awhile, is going to turn green soon - so be ready to just keep moving. Conversely - a light that's been green for awhile, is likely to turn red - so be prepared to stop.

All good stuff Rick... HOWEVER... light timing varies! Coming from WI the above works. When I moved to N. IL I almost ran my cycle into the back of another car in rush-period stop-and-go traffic. Quickly learned that due to the long cycles of lights, accordion-effect and number of red-light runners... in IL "STOP ON GREEN" and "GO (LIKE HELL) ON RED" was almost the safer play!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here that my trainer taught me is that on 10 speeds at least 6 is a great recovery gear. If you are rolling and cant get it in 4th or 5th just pop it in 6th and ease out the clutch. Works every time.

I was taught 5th was as far as you need to downshift. After that you press in clutch and break to stop. You can downshift to 4th, I do it sometimes in towns just to practice since I am a newer driver myself. Really its just about relaxing, if your stressed you mess up, so take a deep breath and do what your instructors taught you to do. You'll be just fine.

“Time to roll again? Clutch neutral, clutch rev, gear down and go.”

CWC thanks!

It’s so clear now I have no idea why this didn’t occur to me before? I’d panic and literally just start hitting pedals and trying to get that dam shifter into anywhere possible! Lol it’s so stupid it’s funny looking back at the couple times I did this!

Sorry I didn't get back with you till now.. Seen you had some other questions but others seem to have answered them.

I'm in a 9 speed now also and empty and loaded are two different things. Others have said 5th gear for the stop and go. Which is fine for empty but my 9 speed is a little more finicky about it when loaded. My low side gear is pretty tall. So learn what is easy to shift while at school but be ready to change things as needed when you start running heavy. I recently went from a 10 speed back to a 9 (first truck after training... On a 10 speed was a 9) it's been a bit of an adjustment. Especially what you describe. That leaving from stale red light I wanna leave in 5th or high range. And I'm either empty at 30k lbs or loaded at 78-79k lbs... It doesn't like it