How To Shift Gears In A Semi-Truck!
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0:00 Intro/Sponsorship
2:06 Part 1: The Basics!
Going through the air triggers and the pedals, plus the different types and shift patterns of the most common transmissions you may drive. Also how to start and move the truck.
11:04 Part 2: Upshifting!
Going through double clutching, and floating the gears, plus the differences in shifting styles between loaded and empty
12:27 Example: Double Clutching All 18 Gears
15:51 Example: Floating Gears and My Typical Shift Pattern
19:38 Example: Skipping Gears While Empty
21:16 Example: Skipping Gears With Jake Brakes
22:31 Extra Tips!
27:41 Part 3: Downshifting!
Going through downshifting techniques with and without the Jake brakes.
28:50 Example: Double Clutching, Downshift Whole Gears
30:57 Example: Floating Gears, Downshift Every Gear
32:13 Emergency Stops!
32:42 Extra Tips!
2006 Peterbilt 379
CAT C15 MXS 650hp
B-Train Flatbed Trailers
Big thanks to Ridge for sponsoring this video! Check it out here >> ridge.com/callthemall
this is killing me.. i miss the road soooooooooooooo bad. iam almost cryin damn ... health sucks .. i dont want to kill a family. got a million in tho
@@XPFTP I hear you there.
הסבר מובן.תודה.Tanks for you
Yong and driver
""SAMEWAY WITH THE-SUPERTEN, ""THEGEARS ARE DOUBLE-SIDED, ""THEOLD 20-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE THE FULLER EATON CAME-IN, ""IT WAS FIVE AND FOUR, ""THEOLD DUPLEXES""!!!!!!!!!
Been driving 20 years and I’ve never met ANYKNE who shifts perfectly all the time. You’re gonna grind a gear here and there especially downshifting.
Absolutely the most well explained and best demonstrated shifting video I've ever seen on KZhead!.Great job. Appreciate the amount of effort you put into making this.
Thank you buddy!
Could not agree more, excellent video!
Excellant video.
The best of the best i drive trucks and farm yes great explanation’s and real world examples of both ways of driving with clutch or floating thanks for the great effort put into this channel ❤. I am from Alberta Canada .
As a former instructor, I feel confident saying should you decide to quite driving, you could easily transition to teaching. Great video.
Here we have a respectable driver, no crappy music (country- rock covers) the steering wheel is on straight and the shifter isn’t touching the ceiling 10/10
The shifter is still like, 10 times too big, but maybe that's just standard in North American trucks
@@Bigslootb4g I’d like to argue in favor of its size. All that leverage, evidently caused by the big stick, can probably make shifting a heavy transmission a breeze
@@gustavoechevarria9369 But if you need that leverage to shift, it's built horribly. I drive trucks, but in europe, and we have car sized shifts in many makes, and they work absolutely fine.
@@Bigslootb4g Typical European with his tiny stick
Definitely gonna use these techniques in American Truck Simulator 😆
Man, I was gonna say the same thing. I'm pretty decent at double clutching, but have you tried floating? With the realistic gears mods? That shit is almost impossible! 🤣 If it was a real transmission, that thing would be toast!🤣
Kid play with simulater not adults
@@davecramer9725 because adults don't know how to spell the word?
@@iv-kingroy-iv2225 How the hell is it imposible? You just need to revmatch, that's it. It's actually quite easy.
@@davecramer9725 we have a "if you like playing call of duty, then go die in an actual war like a "real ma" genius right here! Listen, numb nuts, I already have a job that I like and that keeps me well fed. But outside of that job i like to drive a truck from the comfort of my saloon without having to invest &200 000 and shift my whole life around including losing my current job, just to relax behind the wheel in the evening.
Have been heavy hauling for over 30 years and I just love when someone says I never miss a gear. Yea right ! Great video you got here. Keep on trucking .
I haul max gross 63500 every day locally, Both directions always loaded hauling Ore/Backfill for the mines here. I can honestly say I don't miss gears. Maybe the odd day, but can go weeks without missing a shift, and if i really tried I wouldn't miss. Its happens when I rush or don't really give a shit about the companies transmission lol. I probably shift more in a year than some guys do in a lifetime running highway. I run a 2022 T800 with an 18 speed, Run with jakes on all day and catch the gears with the fuel pedal on the way down.
Retired long haul trucker here. Enjoyed your clear easy to follow demo, brought back memories, would be perfect for a beginner. Yes I floated the gears most of the time. Wound up with more shoulder problems that hip. As a gal, having to put the seat so far forward, I was almost reaching behind me going into 8th. Of course it could be from running up and down the side of the cab. :-) But loved my years on the road. Be safe out there.
Yes I agree with that
Young Man, I've Watched Numerous Trucker Videos, And Could Never Understand How They Shift Through 18 Speeds...While Only Moving The Shifter Into The Same 6 Or 7 Positions. Thanks For This Explanatory Video. Strong Work!
I don’t know why, I love this video so much even though I heard “18 speed” for the first time in my life. What a great vibe in this!
This guy should be a consulting truck driving instructor and have flown all around the world to train instructors 💯
You are one of my biggest inspirations man. I just passed my CDL test with a 13spd, someday i hope to drive a truck just like yours. Now i just gotta find a trucking job at 19yrs old!
Lmao looks like me and you are in the same position right now. I’m also 19 and just got my license. If people thought getting the license would be the hard part about starting their career, wait until you have to find someone that would hire you at a young age. Anyways, hope you find a job!
I'm proud of you congrats man !
@@harman.7872 haha yea for sure. good luck to you.
Congrats both of you!! Yeah 19 years is going to be kinda tough to find something, as the big guys need interstate capability (23 and older) and the little guys need 3 years experience for insurance coverage… keep grinding though it’ll be worth it!
congrats drivers. my father inlaw is just starting to drive logtruck in pnw oregon Trucking trees
My favorite Canadian hippy trucker has done it again. Excellent video on shifting the 18 spd and you've explained it all and in a way that anyone can understand. Keep up the good work.
New subscriber here. I've been driving for 10 years and still like to watch instructional videos here and there, and I've gotta say you're one of the BEST. Clear, methodical, to the point and easy to follow - all with a good sense of humor and humility. You sir, would make a fantastic instructor. Keep up the great work!
I've just started my Class 1 driving. You explained the shift down better than my instructor. Thanks for the great video.
Glad it helped!
Callthemall, thank you, Beautifully Explained. I don't have a 13 gear truck but I try to learned by watching videos from truckers that explain the basics. How to shift a 18 gear truck!
Finally someone that explained about using the clutch in a way that for me was easy to understand. This was the only part that was kind of confusing to me when shifting a 13 or 18 speed. Now i get it. You were also the first to even mention about pushing the clutch pedal all the way down when at a stop.
* Single clutch for spitter shift, double clutch for stick moving shifts. Only press the clutch down 2" when the rig is moving.
@@kriskabin Thanks! 👍
@EJ51507 don't listen to the cowboys, use the clutch as much as you can. Save the transmission.
I could tell by his cheeky smile that he doesn't use the clutch apart from first 😂 I know this because I was the same! You just master the art of matching the road speed with the engine speed. You can also feel it with your hand when it wants to go in. Just gentle pressure
Down shifting is trickier without the clutch I think
Alright , thank you sir for your video. You sir are a good driver that cares for his truck. Keep up the good work and take care of yourself and your truck sir. May our Lord be with you always wherever you go and may you always find lower fuel prices and safe travels.
You're a natural at such a young age in more ways than one... WOW YOU HAVE TO LOVE IT!!! ❤ I still do love it, 44 years after I started truck driving, is MY PASSION ❤
I first drove a truck at 15. It was a 1930's AEC which had a crash box and a non assisted clutch. My father was a Truckie in the days of vacumm assisted brakes, crash gearboxes, and no horsepower. Also no weight restrictions. If it fitted on the truck, it went on. I travelled with him and most hills were a. Cheerst 3 mph due overloading and hope for the best going down. I learnt by observation, and floating gears was normal. Later in life I did a season hauling wheat for a farmer. I was happily floating gears and one day he decided to come with me. When I stopped for a truck check, he asked me what was that pedal for. I finally realised he was talking about the clutch pedal. He didn't appreciate my answer of reverse and take off. I suggested he makes some enquiries with local transport drivers and contractors. He was shocked to find out, that if you couldn't float gears then you didn't last long. Clutch change out was an expensive item due to truck off the road for the day etc. A good operator wouldn't have to replace the clutch between engine overhauls. My usual run required more than 150 gear changes each way, but the clutch was only used 6 times normally
Thanks for taking the time to make this video on shifting, I’m in Trucking school and I guess because I’ve driven gas engine manual transmissions for many years and I’m 57 so trying to get myself to slow down and shift properly has been a challenge, much respect for you and all truckers !
That was the first sponsored ad in a vid that I didn’t skip over. It was actually entertaining 😂
"Thank you so much for your time and information,,always have problems coming down in the 4-5 gears, again thanks for everything
Beautiful angle. That’s where I wanna put one of my cameras (when I get one, lol) to record me as I drive and shift. Thanks for sharing! I already know how to drive an 18-speed but I watched anyways and you did a very good job explaining all the nuances in the shift patterns, differences between shifting a standard passenger vehicle equipped with a manual transmission that are typically equipped with synchronizers, and diesel manual truck that doesn’t have synchronizers, double clutching versus floating, etc. I think the average non-trucker would understand most of what you explained. Noone truly “gets it” until they’ve been behind the wheel of a semi truck with a real manual transmission themselves. I’m surprised you took the time to explain all the other typical manual transmissions that semi trucks come with, lol. I wasn’t expecting that, based on the title of your video, but I like how thorough you were. You forgot to mention the other two Eaton (less common) manual transmissions - the 15-speed (blue splitter instead of red or gray) and the “Super 10,” though I’ve never personally been a truck with these less common ones. Again, amazing work and upload! It was very informative! I always hope curios non-truckers come across these sort of videos so they can get some insight into what we go through and what it’s like-hopefully in turn to be more empathetic and respectful towards us when zipping by around our rigs or giving us extra room to turn wide when needed, lol.
I drive 15 speed transmissions, and I love them. Sadly, not many know how to properly drive them these days.
Thank you for the video, have started school and drive a stick car but, shifting in a truck has sounded confusing! Seeing it helps explain it alot better. Just starting at 63
As a non truck driver IN UK I've always wondered how you get 18 gears out of 4 positions. Thank you.
Five positions! If you start in low with a heavy load it will be five positions. When I'm loaded I often start in low. Sometimes I even split low range. I love 18 speed transmissions! And you can even shift going in reverse. The only other truck that can do that is some of the old Mack trucks. Five gears in reverse! I've shifted all the way into 4th gear in reverse. Never hit 5th though. There's not many pro drivers out there that have ever shifted while going backwards. I love my job!
I used to drive in the early 80's till around 98. This is a very thought out and very well explained overview.
That's it... Im gonna buy me a Ridge wallet! Thanks truck man!
Thank you bro! It was very interesting for me. There are a lot of differences with manual gear shifting between car and truck. Best regards from Russia.
Great video and tutorial abt shifting techniques for an 18speed! Im retired from UPS after 28years driving the night haul to Richmond, Va. Thankfully the last 7years my truck had the automatic transmission and when i had a manual transmission it was a 10speed. Really appreciate your time and effort making this video. This will definitely help those that have a lot of shifting to do. Cheers from Laurel, Delaware USA.
In my driving career before retirement I also drove a 13speed splitter transmission in a Mack. It had low and a conventional 6 speed pattern with the splitter on each of the 6. With a good load each gear had to be split. Like your videos Matt, takes me back to those working days here in Australia 🇦🇺
Mate...you have made an excellent video for all those new to the game. For those of us that have been in the game for awhile this was a very informative video thank you.
My nephew learned quite a bit from your video, he says I'm too grumpy to be able to teach and he gets nervous, lol. But it's true, and he's improved 100% on downshifting and rev matching, so thanks!
The most detailed video on KZhead till date. You are brilliant brother. All power to you. I’m glad I subscribed. Keep up the good work. God bless!
I never had any formal training on a 10 speed other than a few test drives with another driver who never explained the clutch braking to me. Don't think he knew that. As a result, i would grind every gear.. and forget about downshifting. I never could get that into a lower gear exiting the freeway .sometimes could get into like 8 and just putt off the exit. Don't drive anymore, but I wished i had your knowledge about the clutch. Thanks for your tutorial on shifting. Much appreciated.
Best and most comprehensive truck shifting video I've seen. Well done!
Atta boy heel and toe sweet good job on explaining things to non truckers on you video
Really needed this tutorial, love how you implemented an ad for the first time, keep it up Matt!
Exceptional teachings on 18, 13, 10 , and 9 speed transmission! Easy to follow and everything was well thoroughly explained as well! And every scenario we as drivers would experience was demonstrated, and executed with detailed explanation! By far thee best semi manual transmission tutorial video for beginners and/or brushing up!💯💯
Best explanation Ever.
Thanks for the vid. Looks difficult. Love watching especially backing vids. I’ve watched climbing the impossible hill at least 3 or 4 times. Thanks a lot for the enjoyment.
Watching your videos has helped me learn alot. And this has to be the best video relating how to and why it works like this. Thanks for the great content. Your work and dedication is recognized and appreciated. Keep on truckin
Your sponsored video was absolutley hilirarious!! Nicely done man. Also love the tutorial.
Why am I listening to this, in the bed of my 18 speed truck that I drive every day?
Best video on shifting I've seen. Awesome work!
that ridge wallet is actually very nice.
I have watched many videos know the concepts well and have a decent amount of experience shifting. I still enjoyed watching your video and thought it was one of the best I have seen to date. They way you broke it down into sections was perfect. For the person who is completely new it was nice to not overload them with too much info all at once. Really an awesome job.
hey bud, well done on getting the sponsor!!! all the best
Your videos are calming and very informative. Thank you for doing this shifting video with different options. I'm in CDL school and struggling with downshifting, especially getting into 4th, before a stop or turn. This has been a big help.
I'd like to help you. For smooth downshifts watch my video "3 ways to Shift a 13 Speed". I hope that helps. Good luck!
12:00 In neutral and clutch engaged (foot off the clutch pedal ), the transmission input shaft is connected to the engine which allows the engine to control the input shaft speed. (slowing it down/ speeding it up / matching it to the output shaft speed (which is "controlled" by the wheels))
Damnnnn! He’s Kurt Cobain! Nice video man!
Awesome video mate - I failed my first assessment test here in Australia because I was coming down a steep hill to a roundabout pushed the clutch in at 1000rpm but in doing that the truck speed up over the revolutions to synchronise and I couldn’t find the right gear for the revs so 5 seconds out of a gear is an instant fail - but your video addresses this scenario so I’ll do that next time - so thanks for an excellent video - cheers
I watched 4 videos and yours is the only 1 that gave clarity. Thank u. Keep doing your thing bro 💪🏾
Thankfully, Europe has abolished the manual shift alltogether. For the last 15 years it has been automatic shift all the way. The Fuller was given up in the '70s. If you want a manual shift truck in Europe nowadays, you have to make it a special order. And that costs a lot extra...!
Very informative video . . . I learned on a air shift 4X4 back in the mid seventies . . very simple to learn and easy to operate.
Awesome video man, thank you. Just started driving and having trouble downshifting this is gonna help a lot
The company I work for now has all automatic transmission spec trucks. I miss shifting and also now work with young drivers who have never shifted a standard transmission anything let alone big rig. They get in a truck and hit D for drive and that’s it.
ive seen this video multiple times and it never gets old.good stuff my friend.
These are few things I had to learn when stepping up into the big trucks from smaller/light semi trucks, that you might touch on with your own advice and technique. Throttle control, not dropping the throttle too much when floating up or down. I drive B double tankers, which fully loaded are 68+ tonnes (150k pounds) GCM. When learning to drive these fully loaded I used to take my foot out of the accelerator far too much, which would cause rough shifts or cause the gear to hold and become difficult to release because the transmission would reload with decelaration forces/weight. I learnt the correct pressure by keeping the jakes on while shifting up, if you let off too much they would activate. Perfect pressure they stay off, the revs will drop and you can float-shift normally. I did this practice in high box, otherwise you could badly miss and potentially have to stop and start over. Gently backing off the throttle when splitting a gear up, letting your foot off the accelerator too quickly/harshly will cause the box to slam the splitter and cause drive train shock loads. Gentle off and gentle on. Missing a gear and half engagements. If you miss a gear, usually from under-revving, don't panic. Hold the gear near the gate (the gear tickle) and quickly and smoothly increase the RPM again and it should pop/suck itself in. On hills you will probably have to go back one or two full gear(s) depending on weight and incline. Half engagements, this happens to me most often going from Low-low to first on take-off, hold the stick firmly in gear and lift off the accelerator gently, it should pop in and you're good to go. Trying to drive it will cause the transmission to violently throw the gear out.
Excellent points!
I can remember having to pull over several times going up hill loaded and missing a gear and pulling over to the side of the road to start all over. Ha! Great videos young man and keepem going. Be safe
Very will explained, I drove a 13 speed Eaton for years. Good Job!
The Big No-No with the clutch brake is to use it with the truck still rolling. It essentially tries to stop the truck, which of course destroys the brake.
Yup. You are right. And I am tired of guys destroying clutch brakes like that. You stop with the brakes, not the dam clutch. Clutch at idle when your stopping!
Best shifting video Ive seen. True teacher.
Damn I've very impressed by this video. He explains it very well and clear, I've always wondered how these drivers go through so many gears in massive size trucks and this video answers every question I would ask, even the double-clutch and clutch-less shifts, it's like he read my mind. Also, this guy looks like he's in his twenties yet he speaks with the wisdom of someone who's driven semi trucks for over 30 years, how the hell does that work? LOL!! Fantastic video, excellent work buddy!
I’m gonna use it when driving on American truck simulator, thanks for the awesome class. Take care.
I don’t have a truck. I don’t even drive a manual. But I’m excited to shift gears!
100% full demonstration. Very detailed and useful.
you should do truck reviews.
Great job explaining this.
Awesome explanations and video editing mate.
This is one of the best explained videos of this sort. Thank you very much for such a nicely done video with both theory, examples and different situations and ways of doing it!
Great instructional video! I imagine takes a while to do this smoothly and safely.
Great video!!! Going for my Class A refresher course. This helped a lot.
Good video dude. Bought my first 18 speed few months back. It's a challenge for sure. Got most of it figured out, just need a bit of refining. Gonna save this video link.
Great video mate! Very helpful
I think I learned more in this video than I ever have anywhere else. I don't drive a truck, but if my business ever tanks, I probably will. It looks like hard work, but it also just looks so fun.
Badass! Best I've seen on KZhead brother. Thanks for the schooling.
Very comprehensive guide, man. You rock!
What about the eaton rto 95/13 where you shift all 13 no spliting any gears
call, I love your videos, I'm Brazilian, and one day I'm going to become a truck driver here in the USA, when I'm passing through saint louis missouri, send a message, lunch and beer guaranteed hahahah
A most excellent explanation! 10/10
Best shifting video on KZhead! Minor problem was the cab was too dark to see the double clutching in action. People need to see it happens fast in real time. It's tough that you need to demonstrate it in order to get your license. That's when you have the least experience to achieve a unfamiliar technique.
WOW, phantastic views, please do more of them, please if possible from underneath drivers cab floor, to open view on pedal segments activated by drivers feet and steering linkage....would be awesome...
Great video- thanks for doing it !
Double Clutch= When double clutching you only push the pedal down a little over half way. It helps with the timing.
Thanks I dont drive a big rig - Your explanation is really well done -Great job
Great video! Best tutorial I've seen so far. 😎👌
My dude, wicked good video of all sorts of situations.
Excellent vid. I've driven 10 speeds, but not the 13s or 18s. This made it easier to understand the difference in the respective shift patters; it's not as complicated as I'd imagined.
As soon as you said sponsor I knew what it was
I’m a REAL KZheadr now 😂😂
@@callthemall lmao
Great video. I never saw that good explanation.
Man you’re the only one that helped and answered the question I was looking for. 😎
Thank you for posting this video!
Good video bro, keep them coming
wow ive just discovered this channel and this is very good information and you make it very easy to understand
First truck driver I've seen that actually knows how to use clutch 👏
Yeah and the first i heard that explained it where i was not all confused.
Well explained. Thank you
This is definitely the best video on shifting 18 speed transmission. You are definitely a master at driving. You video's has help this 57 years old make the decision on getting my CDL. For heavy loads is better to have 18 ,13 or 10 gears? Which is easier on the engine/transmission.
The more gears the better for heavy loads as there is less of a gap between gears. I wouldn’t pull anything over 80’000lbs with a 10 speed. 13 is common for 80’000lbs. For what I’m doing (140’000lbs) it’s possible with a 13 speed but much nicer with the 18 speed.
Ten speed transmissions are for light loads. I have pulled heavy loaded Super B Trailers from the bottom of a hill (bridge construction!) and I wished I had an 18 speed. A 13 speed is OK for most heavy hauls but not climbing steep hills, or pulling a load of logs out of the bush in mud. With an 18 speed you can shift without it bogging on you. Fantastic transmission. You can even shift in reverse! I do that all the time. In soft ground you start the splitter in low. Get rolling and shift it. Saves the clutch big time!
Great Job.. clarity clarity clarity
#latetotheparty. Shift pattern used to be on the back of the visor in Australian truck . One owner I drove for said he had a Ceramic clutch fitted and only wanted me to use it when moving off.