Q&A for How to Shift a Semi Truck

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Question

Where is the splitter button on my shifter?

Community Answer

On every Eaton transmission there is a different setup. For the one that is mentioned, the "splitter" is on the left side of the knob and the range selector is the toggle switch directly on the front portion of the shaft. On a 10 speed, you do not have a "splitter" but only a "range selector", however on a "Super 10" all it has is a "splitter".

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Question

Can I put it in neutral and start breaking instead of changing down?

Community Answer

That's too dangerous because you are free wheeling in neutral and may gain so much road speed that you'll be unable to get back in gear in time.

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Question

How do I shift a truck into neutral?

Community Answer

If in gear, pull out and you'll be in neutral. Neutral is what you should always put your truck in when parking and when starting it up.

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Question

What does a range switch do?

Community Answer

The range switch for when you go through the first set of gears, Lo/1-4, then when you get to the last position for that range, you pull up on the range selector and go through the gears again. An easy way to remember this is, Lo through 4/5 is all below 15mph, and 6th on up is 25mph+. Having the ability to "split gears" on 13s and 18s are nice for trucking on steep grades. Split gears are 500 RPM steps instead of 1k. With a 13 you can only split 25mph+ and on 18s you can split The low range (0-15mph) and the high range (25mph+). 18s are ideal for logging trucks and 13s are ideal for mountain driving. Supers 10s are best to learn on, as they do not require you to go through the pattern twice.

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Question

When I split, do I use the clutch?

Community Answer

No, you just lift off the throttle to release the pressure when up shifting, and for down shifting, you will give it a little shot of fuel to bump up the RPM.

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Question

How do you double clutch?

Community Answer

You step on the clutch, put the gear leaver in neutral, clutch, and then downshift.

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Question

How do I shift out of neutral to the correct road gear? Is there a chart that matches the right gear to the right speed?

Community Answer

Each truck is different, depending on it's equipment. For the higher gears, add the two digits of the speed and that tells you what gear you should be in for 1300 engine RPMs. For example, at 15 MPH, 1+5 is 6, so you should rev the engine to 1300 and shift into 6th. For 25 MPH 2+5 is 7 so shift into 7th at 1300 rpm.

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Question

When double clutching, is it necessary to press the accelerator?

Community Answer

It depends. When selecting a higher gear, no. Since the RPMs need to fall, you don't have to do anything else. For a lower gear, yes, you need to give it some throttle. Since large diesel engines respond fairly slowly, this usually means a very short stomp of full throttle.

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Question

On a 10-speed, can I start from the 6th gear?

Community Answer

Probably not. If it is loaded, definitely not.

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Question

What does "RL/RH" mean?

Community Answer

RL is reverse and would be with your range switch down or in low, and RH would be reverse with the range switch in the up position or in high.

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Question

Do I need to be in neutral to use the range selector?

Community Answer

No. You "preselect" either high or low while you're still in gear and then shift into the next gear as normal. While you're shifting through neutral, it will shift into high or low range on its own, depending on the position you chose for the selector.

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Question

Can I double clutch through all the gears?

Community Answer

There would never be a need to. If upshifting at the correct RPM you should be able to float the gears all the way to top gear. Double clutching is mostly a down shifting thing, but is also not necessary.

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Question

How safe is to pass the truck from the right-hand side?

Community Answer

It is not safe to pass anyone on the right. It is especially dangerous to pass semis on the right because semi trucks have a blind spots. It is safer to pass on the left because you can look out the window or adjust your mirror easier.

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Question

When do I apply the clutch on my semi truck?

Community Answer

Most long-time truckers will only use the clutch to start moving the truck from a dead stop; otherwise, they float through gears. Some beginning truckers are recommended to always double-clutch while shifting gears while they familiarize themselves with other elements of driving a semi.

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Question

How do I know what gear to be in when shifting a semi truck?

Community Answer

Up shifting is just based on RPM. Once you get to 1500 to1700, upshift. Downshifting depends on speed and situation. If you miss a gear when shifting, look at your speed and determine the gear to pop it into.

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Question

Do I have to clutch when I use the range switch?

Community Answer

No. The only time you need to clutch is when stopping or starting from a stop. All other gears are up- and down-shifted without the clutch. You will learn the truck you are driving and know when you can drop it into gear. When shifting from the low to high side, flip the button before you shift. The transmission will not shift into high side until the gear shift is moved to the next gear. The same works for down-shifting. You should NEVER clutch between each gear, you will only wear out your leg, the clutch, and other things. The only clutching between gears that is necessary is occasionally when the transmission feels like it won't let you shift, usually under a heavy load pulling a hill.

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Question

How do I start a manual commercial truck rolling again, once I come to a stop, without rolling back?

Community Answer

Release the clutch slowly until you feel the transmission grab, then release the brake pedal.

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Question

Can I split in low gears when my semi truck is loaded?

Community Answer

Normally you don’t need to split the low end unless you have a really heavy load, but if you feel the need then do so.

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