Noob having a problem down shifting

[ProDriver77]

Some Super 10s don't have the Auto Top 2 feature, or require Cruise Control on and engaged.

As for a road test with a Super 10, one would be required to single-clutch the splitter-shifts and double-clutch for lever-shifts.

As for "getting it", I just go by feel. If it feels like she won't pull without lugging the engine, I downshift. If I start losing my rate of acceleration while gaining RPMs, I grab the next gear.

Another good piece of advice I can give: Try moving the lever only using 2 or 3 fingers. If you have the RPMs in the "sweet spot", she should fall right into gear. If she starts to grind, let go of the shifter, release the clutch, give the throttle a quick stab, then throw in the clutch and try again.

You'll get it. As another poster said, don't think about it too much or worry about your tachometer. Try to listen to the engine and "feel" the gears slide in as you move the lever

One more thing, as it sounds like you're learning to "float": After you roll out of gear and rev up for the downshift, make sure your foot rolls COMPLETELY off the throttle before moving the lever into the lower gear. I make this mistake more often than I'd like to as I typically haul smaller loads in a straight truck with an automatic and only jump into a tractor with a 10-speed once or twice a week.

 

[Steve C]

When I downshift I mostly listen to the engine and when I downshift full gears I only need to bring the RPM's up 500 RPM's to shift full gears and only 250 RPM's when splitting gears. I usually don't even look at the tach because 500 RPM's are not very high at all.

I've only driven a total of 2-1/2 hours (other than backing) so I'm not able to "hear" the rpm sweet spots yet. My instructor says that will come with more practice. I still don't understand why I'm sometimes able to downshift without rolling in any extra revs.

 

[Steve C]

1) Are you sure this is a "super 10?" Please verify. Do you have to do anything between 9th and 10th gears? How many times do you physically have to move the gear shifter to go through all 10 gears?

2) If this in fact a super 10, then you don't have to use the clutch at all from 1-10 irregardless of upshifting or downshifting.
How will this be regarded by the test agency, i don't know.

Yes it's a Super 10. The split shifts are no problem, just the stick shifts. I'll have to use the clutch for my driving test.

 

[Steve C]

One more thing, as it sounds like you're learning to "float": After you roll out of gear and rev up for the downshift, make sure your foot rolls COMPLETELY off the throttle before moving the lever into the lower gear. I make this mistake more often than I'd like to as I typically haul smaller loads in a straight truck with an automatic and only jump into a tractor with a 10-speed once or twice a week.

We're not learning to float because we can't do that on the driving test. I am getting off the throttle completely. The problem is when I get back on. It seems so dang touchy. Either it doesn't move at all, then I give it a little more and it jumps way past the sweet spot. Then I panic and start quickly getting off and on trying to hit the spot.

 

[Marc Letourneau]

I've only driven a total of 2-1/2 hours (other than backing) so I'm not able to "hear" the rpm sweet spots yet. My instructor says that will come with more practice. I still don't understand why I'm sometimes able to downshift without rolling in any extra revs.

Because the truck will go into any gear when you use the clutch.. If you tried doing that without using the clutch it wouldn't work.. The clutch lets you put the truck into any gear going at any speed, Wether the it's too high of a gear or to low depends on your speed.

I just started driving recently too, It takes time but you will get it.

 

[ProDriver77]

Because the truck will go into any gear when you use the clutch.. If you tried doing that without using the clutch it wouldn't work.. The clutch lets you put the truck into any gear going at any speed, Wether the it's too high of a gear or to low depends on your speed.

I just started driving recently too, It takes time but you will get it.

In a synchromesh transmission (car), yes, you can hit any gear at any speed.

In a truck, the clutch will allow some "room" if you're off a few revs, but you'll still miss the gear if you over/under-shoot the revs.

 

[Marc Letourneau]

Steve I just remember that you were learned on the ISX.. Don't beat yourself up, Guys who have been driving for years struggle in these trucks.. It's so much different than any other motor I have ever seen.

 

[Marc Letourneau]

I found this video and it may help you a bit in your troubles.
Driving the Eaton Super 10 Speed Transmision Part 1 - YouTube

 

[Steve C]

I found this video and it may help you a bit in your troubles.
Driving the Eaton Super 10 Speed Transmision Part 1 - YouTube

Thanks

 

[blackw900]

And when You think you are the best... try this combination.. clutch is for starting and stopping

Shifting a 5 and a 4 transmission - YouTube

That's what I learned to drive on.

Completely lost me. They showed what he was doing and I am still lost. Thank God for the single stick with a splitter. Much respect to the old timers that drove these!

He was bobtailing and hardly used any gears at all....If he lost you with the few shifts that he actually made, I can guarantee that watching him shift under a heavy load would probably have made your head explode!
The other thing that I noticed was that he was shifting slowly and was very sloppy with his shifts....He didn't appear to know how to drive it very well.


I love those old "2 sticks" I'd still be running them if I could get one to handle the torque and power that we run these days.

 

[ProDriver77]

I'd love to drive a 5x4! Watching the video looked confusing, but after doing some reading it honestly doesn't look that bad.

 

[Injun]

My ISX downshifts best at 1100-1150 and back into gear at 1400. At 1400 RPM on a downshift, the transmission all but sucks the stick into gear for you. I'm running a 9 convertible to 13.

It sounds like lugging to some folks used to the older engines that ran best at 1600 rpm or more for cruising, but the ISX is designed for higher torque at lower RPM.

When I ran that old S60 Detroit, I would never have dreamed of letting the engine go all the way down to 1100 to shift. 1250 was its sweet spot for downshifting. Same for that old Cat I ran for a while.

 

[blackw900]

My ISX downshifts best at 1100-1150 and back into gear at 1400. At 1400 RPM on a downshift, the transmission all but sucks the stick into gear for you. I'm running a 9 convertible to 13.

That's how I run my N14 with the exception that my low shift point can be as low as 1200 RPM, I've been told that I can pull it down to 1100 but with the 13 speed, there is no need to.

It sounds like lugging to some folks used to the older engines that ran best at 1600 rpm or more for cruising, but the ISX is designed for higher torque at lower RPM.

As are most large displacement engines....They have in recent decades learned how to deal with the heat that made it difficult to run an engine at these lower RPM ranges.

When I ran that old S60 Detroit, I would never have dreamed of letting the engine go all the way down to 1100 to shift. 1250 was its sweet spot for downshifting. Same for that old Cat I ran for a while.

You could have run either one of those engines that slow with no problems.

I had a 3406B in 1988 that was perfectly capable of pulling down into the 1000 RPM range...It was my first "low RPM" motor and when I first bought that truck I had to teach myself to run it at lower RPM levels because I was used to the old 1800 to 2100 RPM motors.

The only reason that I learned about the engines low RPM capabilities was because when I first bought it I couldn't get more than 3 MPG out of it and I was pretty unhappy with it.
I took it to the CAT dealer and bitched about it and they told me that I was probably driving it wrong and they then taught me how to drive it right....After that I got around 4 1/2 MPG with it and was perfectly happy with that.

 

[blackw900]

When I ran that old S60 Detroit, I would never have dreamed of letting the engine go all the way down to 1100 to shift. 1250 was its sweet spot for downshifting. Same for that old Cat I ran for a while.

It is worthy of mentioning here that you haven't been driving very long and have been with mega carriers the entire time....You have never driven an "old" engine.

 

[DubbleD]

It is worthy of mentioning here that you haven't been driving very long and have been with mega carriers the entire time....You have never driven an "old" engine.

Why?

I'd bet this years earning that YOU ... never drove an engine of any age.

 

[Injun]

Celtic Carriers could not qualify as a mega with three company trucks and one owner-operator. They are no longer in business.

 

[blackw900]

Why?

I'd bet this years earning that YOU ... never drove an engine of any age.

Woo, Hoo!

I'm gonna win $14.00....

 

[DubbleD]

Woo, Hoo!

I'm gonna win $14.00....

And change.

 

[blackw900]

And change.

Cool.....$14.29

 

[DubbleD]

Cool.....$14.29

Now all ya gotta do is provide a photo of sorts demonstrating how an "Engine" is driven preferably with your hand on the steering mechanism.