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Correct shifting of gears is important. If you cannot get your vehicle into the right gear while driving, you will have less control.
Basic Method for Shifting Up. Most heavy vehicles with manual transmissions require double clutching to change gears. Below is the basic method:
Shifting gears using double clutching requires practice. If you remain too long in neutral, you may have difficulty putting the vehicle into the next gear. If so, do not try to force it. Return to neutral, release clutch, increase engine speed to match road speed and try again.
Knowing When to Shift Up.
There are two ways of knowing when to shift:
Basic Procedures for Shifting Down. Below is the basic procedure:
Downshifting, like upshifting, requires knowing when to shift. Use either the tachometer or the speedometer and down-shift at the right rpm or road speed.
Special conditions where you should downshift are:
Multi-speed rear axles and auxiliary transmissions are used on many vehicles to provide extra gears. You usually control them by a selector knob or switch on the gearshift lever of the main transmission. There are many different shift patterns. Learn the right way to shift gears in the vehicle you will drive.
Some vehicles have automatic transmissions. You can select a low range to get greater engine braking when going downgrades. The lower ranges prevent the transmission from shifting up beyond the selected gear (unless the governor rpm is exceeded). It is important to use this braking effect when going downgrades.
Some vehicles have “retarders,” which help slow a vehicle and reduce the need for using the brakes. They reduce brake wear and give you another way to slow down. There are four basic types of retarders (exhaust, engine, hydraulic and electric). All retarders can be turned on or off by the driver. On some vehicles the retarding power can be adjusted. When turned “on,” retarders apply their braking power (to the drive wheels only) whenever you let up on the accelerator pedal all the way.
Because these devices can be noisy, be sure you know where their use is permitted.
Caution: When your drive wheels have poor traction, the retarder may cause them to skid. Therefore, you should turn the retarder off whenever the road is wet, icy or snow covered.
What happens if you cannot get your vehicle into the right gear while driving?
When should you turn the engine "retarder" off (Commonly known as the "Jake Brake")
Special conditions where you should downshift are:
Special conditions where you should downshift are:
What are two ways of knowing when to shift?
There are two ways of knowing when to shift:
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