How to Shift an 18 Speed
Driving an 18-speed tractor trailer can be quite difficult, especially if you've never driven a large truck or used a manual transmission. Even if you have driven a manual transmission vehicle, shifting 18 gears can still be challenging because you're dealing with so many gears. However, the technique for shifting on an 18-speed is not that different than any other manual system: You can still downshift and skip gears while accelerating.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Set the truck's parking brake and place the vehicle in neutral.
-
2
Push the clutch pedal right to the floor and start the truck. Release the clutch pedal once the truck has started and wait a few minutes before you drive off.
-
-
3
Push the clutch to the floor again and move the red button on the gear shift to low while you shift down and to the right to move into first gear. The red button, also called a "splitter selector," controls the levels of gears. The number of button positions varies from vehicle to vehicle, but the low range is typically for gears from one to six and the higher ranges are for anything over sixth.
-
4
Put your foot on the brake pedal and release the parking brake. Keep your other foot on the clutch.
-
5
Release the clutch slowly and apply the gas at about the same speed as you are releasing the clutch.
-
6
Push the clutch down again with your foot when you need to change gears. For second gear, push the gear shift up and to the center; for third gear, pull the gear shift down and to the center; for fourth gear, push the gear shift up and to the right; for fifth gear, pull the gear shift down and to the right; and for sixth gear, pull up on the gear shift and move it up and to the center.
-
7
Move the red button on the splitter selector to a higher setting to engage your higher gears. Shift these gears in the same way you shifted the lower gears.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
