Downshifting

Is there a reason? I've never seen someone say skipping gears is bad or improper or not to do it until now, so it seems weird.

I don't think it's a matter of being bad or improper. It's more that the tester wants to see your proficiency at shiftingall the gears. Once you get past the test, you can float them suckers if you want to. Each tester may have different requirements also. My trainer new all of the testers, so I followed his lead.

Is there a reason? I've never seen someone say skipping gears is bad or improper or not to do it until now, so it seems weird.

I agree with Turtle.

I'd also suggest it possibly introduces additional points of failure. So unless you believe you have it mastered; thus clean shifts, I'd save it until after you are on the job.

I was under the impression that going down 1 by 1 introduces more points of failure because that's more downshifts you have to do!

I'll try going from 7 to 6 to 5 to 4 on the range if I get more driving practice before my test to see how it goes.

I was under the impression that going down 1 by 1 introduces more points of failure because that's more downshifts you have to do!

I'll try going from 7 to 6 to 5 to 4 on the range if I get more driving practice before my test to see how it goes.

Where did you get an impression like that?

The points of failure are increased because of the difficulty factor matching the rpms with road speed to cross a bigger gap in gear ratio. It's far easier to screw up the shift.

Reread what Turtle wrote. Most instructors will want you to sequentially go through the gears to prove you can control your truck. Be prepared either way if you feel the need to "double-down".

Do what you want. But if I were you, I would not skip.

Hey Guys

Thank you so much for all of the advice and help. I was able to go out to the school range with my instructor and practice. My instructor is the best. We drove around for a couple of hours and after about 30 minutes of "yelling" at me, well not really yelling but being assertive, I was able to downshift, turn, and stop correctly. I used a lot of what everyone said and tried most if not all of it to help me get it right. My instructor told me not to do anymore downshifting than was absolutely necessary. I did some skip shifting down but only coming off the freeway to get from 10 to 8 then 8 to 6. I drove up to the light or stop sign in 6 unless the red light seem to have been on for a while then I went to 4. Most of the time it was a drive up in 6. Range selector down go to 3. One of the most helpful things that I found was to stab the accelerator and get the RPM's up quickly, and then go to gear. That took some practice but it worked well for me. Again guys thanks for all the help and please stay safe.

Gary

Can confirm he has his CDL now.

I am happy for him. When you pass your CDL , I'll be happy for you. However what I wrote to you Yuuyo, still applies.

All informational Yuuyo...and designed to offer the path of least resistance for passing your test.

I still maintain you are bucking the advice of 3 very experienced drivers...Turtle, Old School and I have very good reasons for offering basically the same advice.

Skip your gears during the test if you must, but I'd be very careful to only attempt it on basically flat road surfaces. I'd also ask the instructor administering your test if they are okay with you skipping. Don't assume. Please listen carefully to their response, what they are expecting is more important than anything else.

Take it or leave it...that's my suggestion.

All informational Yuuyo...and designed to offer the path of least resistance for passing your test.

I still maintain you are bucking the advice of 3 very experienced drivers...Turtle, Old School and I have very good reasons for offering basically the same advice.

I never said I wasn't going to do what you said; you just assumed that. All I did was ask for reasons why you would suggest that. I've been trying downshifting sequentially the last two days to see what it's like.

I never said I wasn't going to do what you said; you just assumed that. All I did was ask for reasons why you would suggest that. I've been trying downshifting sequentially the last two days to see what it's like.

Up until now;...you never hinted that you accepted the advice offered.

No matter, I'm glad you are preparing yourself either way. That's smart.

You have enough to worry about, go pass your test tomorrow. I'll share the back story why I am a stickler about this once you have your CDL.