Downshifting Up A Mountain.
Topic 31129 | Page 1
Are you still double clutching or are you floating gears??
Laura
Floating Gears:
An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Double Clutching:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Lo K.:
I have a question. I am used to driving an automatic truck, have driven manuals before but I was never great at downshifting. My question is with rpms dropping so fast I feel that I am going to miss a downshift going up a steep grade. what is the proper technique to use going up a steep grade?
First of all I don't have my CDL yet, so feel free to ignore me, but from the CDL manual the proper gear technique for grades (up or down) is to pick the right gear before you start and just stick with it until the end. In other words: Don't shift on a grade at all. Get in the right gear before you start.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
In other words: Don't shift on a grade at all. Get in the right gear before you start.
Incorrect. You have to down shift on an upgrade. The correct way to do it varies, but I would pay attention to my RPMs. At around 1300, I'm shifting because 10-11 risks stalling out. I've stalled out on upgrades, it's terrifying.
Just G, you get into the proper gear and don't shift on a down grade. Because of gravity. When you put it in neutral to go to the next gear your RPMs will skyrocket and then there's no shifting. You won't be able to get in gear and you'll be going down hill in neutral relying on your brakes which will likely catch fire depending on how steep the downgrade is.
@IDMtnGal I am double clutching.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Double Clutching:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
In other words: Don't shift on a grade at all. Get in the right gear before you start.
Incorrect. You have to down shift on an upgrade. The correct way to do it varies, but I would pay attention to my RPMs. At around 1300, I'm shifting because 10-11 risks stalling out. I've stalled out on upgrades, it's terrifying.
Thanks I appreciate it.
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I have a question. I am used to driving an automatic truck, have driven manuals before but I was never great at downshifting. My question is with rpms dropping so fast I feel that I am going to miss a downshift going up a steep grade. what is the proper technique to use going up a steep grade?