Three Methods to Recover Missed Gears

Gear recovery can be learned a few different ways.You don't always have to come to a complete stop if you miss a gear.
By becoming very familiar with your gear pattern and by paying attention to general speeds for each gear, you can use 3 different methods for gear recovery.
The Rev-Match method involves giving the throttle small blurps while gently trying to push the shifter into gear. The clutch is not used in this process.
The Tickle Method does not involve the clutch either, but uses slight pressure on the shifter while slowly pushing the throttle to find the gear hole.
The Go-To-Gear is when you master a midrange gear and wait until your road speed slows down enough to hit that gear.
Always try to remain calm and avoid forcing it into gear.

[@timpope1221]

I’m retired and decided to get my CDL so we have to double clutch to pass the test and for me after many years of shifting gears in gasoline engines it’s a struggle to correctly shift these 10 speed with diesel engines, I find myself trying to shift to quickly and over reviving the engine, I have been extremely humbled in this trucking school and have tremendous respect for Truckers not only for their talent but all the regulations and red tape that goes along with being a Truckers, so thanks for taking the time to make this video and thanks to all the Truckers out there doing what needs to be done you are the very heart beat of America !

[@user-ib7en9pi3d]

I am a retired truck driver and a couple of good trucks that I learned are one that you do not have to depress the clutch pedal all of the way in to shift into another gear you can depress the clutch pedal maybe two inches at the very most not fast but be smooth twice and practice using only two fingers to slip the gear shift into another gear. The second is called floating into gear you are manipulating the throttle slightly and again with two fingers your can actually feel the gear going into place without grinding. The reason I would use to fingers or only one finger is then you cannot force it in and relying on feel instead. I probably drove a million miles using those methods hopefully you get this and try it

[@bhawks]

Same.... I just got behind the wheel today at CDL school and I almost cried I was so horrible

[@lissettelopez8331]

I’m also drive a regular manual transmission car, and I’ve experienced bad cdl shifting from not subconsciously breaking the two apart. I take my CDL A test in about a week so until then im driving an automatic car to school and back lol.

[@blackbuddha9997]

Driving trucks is a great retirement I went to school with guys 45 and over just getting their CDL. Hope you enjoy it

[@lissettelopez8331]

@@blackbuddha9997 thank you. I took the CDL drivers test. And passed my first time. Was nervous bigtime, but I did very well.

[@jboi801]

I’m not sure if anyone else uses this method but I would add the two numbers together 😂 for example 15 mph ( 1+5 ) = 6th gear 25 mph ( 2+5 ) = 7th gear 35 mph ( 3+5 ) = 8th gear 45 mph = 9th gear 55 mph = 10th gear

[@universalenergy2311]

Absolutely. That’s per the CDL manual.

[@father.of.7bear963]

that works well for a 10 speed. anybody know what it is for an 18 speed Eaton Fuller transmission?

[@bigstuff52]

Johnny thanks for that...

[@69castellano]

@@father.of.7bear963 pretty much the same. Just don't factor in the split gear. If you miss a sift, always go back to the low side of the gear, look at your speed, and match your rpm.

[@father.of.7bear963]

@@69castellano Thanks Craig. Yeah, I agree, I figured out that’s it’s pretty much the same as 10 speed. What gives me trouble yet, is making left or right turns onto another road where I don’t need to stop, but can continue thru at 10 to 15 mph. The hi-range 5th is too high for those Turns, so I attempt to split down to low-range 4th, but cannot seem to find the rev match. Usually end up floating it into 3rd or even 2nd, which perturbs any vehicles following me, cuz I might be doing 5 mph till I find a gear. Complicating things further, is the fact I am in an automatic T680 most days, but sometimes get put onto the manual T680. Keeps me on my everlovin toes!

[@ryanmorrison3699]

Every truck is different and likes to shift at certain points in the rev range. Most important thing is to get to know your truck and when it likes to shift. Once you know your truck’s personality, then you can start floating gears and recovering them. It gets easier the longer you spend driving a certain vehicle.

[@JohnJohn1982]

I'm getting my CDL in March. My Uncle sent me this video. Glad I watched it.

[@Bowen_Windcalibur]

Many mega carriers are now automatics. When I got my CDL at CRST all they have are automatic. Let us know how that goes. Good luck good you buddy. 💪🏻

[@dfaro8453]

@@Bowen_Windcaliburyeah but my instructor wanted the class to try the manual transmission 1st. I am lucky he push my class to do it even though it added 2 weeks on our course. After school, cococola hired me and all their trucks were 10 speeds 😅 they had a few 9 speeds that where smooth like butter. I got the job the moment I walked in their office. Yes OTR all you need is automatic but when you want to go local, you will need to know how to drive manual so you can apply for more jobs.

[@choward988]

Thanks for the time that you put in your videos. You are a good teacher. I’m currently in school and double clutching kicking my butt. I watched your current video and your video about double clutching. Both videos are great and easy to understand. Thanks again.

[@Kiowan918]

I learnt on 18 speed synchronized transmission, drove those for 10 years, then moved into an auto for 8 years and am now for the first time trying to learn to drive an 18 speed non synchro transmission, problem is I'm weighing 140,000 lbs and going up big ass hills while doing it. It's extremely stressful as I've never been taught, I know the theory, watched a million videos but they just dont help at all, doesn't matter how well you know the theory you simply have to practice to learn. I lost the gears going uphill today grossed out at 140k lbs, I lost speed so fast I could not recover it so I had to stop and start again from lo, luckily I caught all the gears taking off again. The longest throws are the hardest, 4th to 5th and 6th to 7th. I also end up in a different truck, diff engine and transmission every time which is making it feel next to impossible to learn as nothing shifts the same. The stress is unbelievable.

[@TASK_27]

Thank you Sir. I needed this video. Finally someone who explain how to make it easier to down and up shift. Thank you so much Sir. Now I got confidence behind the wheel.

[@derekclardy2571]

Great video, Im getting ready to test. I would recover by revving my engine high then tapping the clutch and trying to throw it in gear when the rpm’s starts falling. I just learned this technique the other day and it’s way more easier thank you.

[@magdoguimaraes5841]

Thank you so much for this video, I’m taking my CDL and these information helps a lot.

[@user-zy8mk4bj4l]

Thank you 4 sharing

[@samuelvelazquez6124]

Such a good video man thank you

[@johnnyleon9218]

Thanks for your insights. Preciate ya.

[@bilaljackson6525]

Hey Thank you for that I was just on a job & I was being trained & not once have they let me know that knowing I'm new to it. Poor trainer... THANK YOU!!! NOW I KNOW...

[@RaulRuizValentin]

Thanks man, this video was very informative, I too just got my CDL with no restrictions, I’ve never driven a stick shift in my life, and I’m learning right now with a peterbilt 8 speed. I’m also a self taught, all the rookie mistakes u mentioned in this video, are the mistakes im making right now haha, but I know with time and experience, I will surely master this or at least I hope so. This video made me feel better and was very helpful. Now the next thing I need to learn is how to approach hills. Also how to do turns. I usually hold the clutch down and just make the the turn, then I have trouble finding the gear to put into to keep driving. I’ll def check out more of your videos man thank u!

[@loganblackGT]

Thank you for clearing my conscience. Hi I am a new driver 22 years old fresh out of school and I have my own authority in my own truck. I got lucky finding a short haul local driving job where my dad and brother used to work and I have been struggling a little bit with upshifting and down shifting in certain weather conditions such as rain particularly I have a hard time downshifting when it’s raining I guess I panic a little bit and I grind it just a little bit. I don’t ever force it in the gear and you really help me clear my conscience about hurting my truck, I try my best to be gentle with it

[@LeeHur_Low]

To hear all 3 at once, Start listening 13 minutes 45 seconds.

[@TRUCKERAbdurRahmanbinbailey]

How you doing brother,self taught! you came along way.I like your (3) methods,qualified to be a CDL Instructor,5 stars.

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="393">6:33</a> I like the part where you discussed how you thought missing a gear was the end of it. Gotta start from first! 😄 😀

[@GnosisKing]

Thank you so much for this video, it has helped me tremendously!! Question can you use the tickle method when downshifting!? Thanks for all the information.

[@w9nfm]

Very nice video on how to fix things. I run a CDL school and see the panic that comes over new shifters. And your explanations on ways to recover are very good. I was self trained trucker to 35 years ago. Wish i had some one giving me tips like your sharing. Good job. Thanks for the video 👍🙌

[@Missile.Crisis]

Im in school now. Here in Georgia during the driving test if you fail to find a gear and travel an excess of 25 feet you fail the test and have to retake. That idea there is so daunting to me. You HAVE to double clutch.

[@ExcavationRevelation]

That is pretty intense but I understand where they are coming from. Once you master the fundamentals you will have a solid foundation to build off. It will all come together the more you practice, best of luck on your test

[@DarknessessB11]

They are teaching you well. Follow along and persevere. I hope you succeeded.

[@Missile.Crisis]

@@DarknessessB11 glad to report i have since graduated and am driving. 🫡

[@milplayer17]

Yea i just failed because of this.. gear was grinding on downshift

[@RagnarokGenesis00]

it makes sense. you do not want to be rolling in neutral or in limbo gear. dangerous habit that'll lead to an accident

[@yourchava]

keep it up ,get it in

[@user-zk7qw6lj1q]

Awesome channel name

[@xX_Gravity_Xx]

When I was learning I was taught the "tickle" method. I was used to cars and grinding the living sh* out of it before I realized how gentle you had to be, which is hard to do while focusing on everything ele as a newbie. I still suck at driving manual trucks. But I tested on an auto so I'll never get the chance to improve sadly. It's been so long at his point I question if I could even still do it at all.

[@aaronjecelynshepherd5923]

I have a problem with the down shift. Can you make a video about down shift and how to recover when cant go in the gear that you want on down shift. Thank you

[@CruzyyJ]

For downshift, Clutch neutral, Rev (1000 rpm), clutch gear

[@Adam-qt6qq]

I took my CDL B on 6 speed and I don't know how I did it. I know I didn't double clutch. Now I'm in school right now. Getting my Class A License. So I'm having a hard time double clutching and my instructors are really trying to teach me. But I drove with 4 instructors and they said I do well. But I had 2 instructors who say iam not double clutching. And you got to do it for the test. Spent the last 2 weeks trying to figure it out. Doing a little better. But still I don't really know it. I Because in high range gears it slides right into gear.

[@hereintranzit]

Everybody has to start somewhere. It’s kinda funny watching this after about four decades of O/O OTR trucking. LOL

[@donmunro144]

Who would think a 12 yr driver would be making a video on missed gears. While we all miss one occasionally, it isn't that often.

[@dfaro8453]

Fake your time with it if you’re new driving. You will get it eventually. Learn your truck and have a feel for when it’s ready to upshift and know what speed you’re in when you mess up. If you miss a gear you can always shift down two gears or one gear.

[@jasonburks5911]

also pay attation to rpm on the truck useley 1500 and truck will fall in to gear.

[@DavidGonzalez-yg2ok]

Even a single clutch you can float in.

[@ThomasSmith-fz6wq]

Try an old b61 mack twin stick 18 speed out.

[@albertarseneau848]

Good tips brother , I went through the same problem when starting out. Drive safe

[@LiLFLU3]

Going for my state exam tomorrow. 🙏

[@ExcavationRevelation]

how'd it go!?

[@DocHoliday586]

Man, you know it's odd that I can't explain how to recover.. but I do.. its a feeling with a little bit of intuition that I'm able to recover whenever I miss.. I force taught myself to always double clutch my up shofts.. it always results in a proper shift.. but I also force taught myself to always down shift through all my gears coming to a stop.. it makes driving that much more complicated, but learning like this gives you the muscle memory to always know where your supposed to be in the shift pattern no.matter what the situation is.

[@dfaro8453]

Just take your feet off the clutch, rev up to 1500, apply clutch about an inch then push gear to the same gear you came from or a lower gear.

[@jameshaliday1929]

use brake and clutch ,progressive shift ,know what speed is good for each gear ,and upshift and downshift Rpm, ranges.,learn how too skip gears when needed . old nasty Freightliners with worn out ten speeds are always a pain in the ass. cant shift fast.

[@pierrevillemaire-brooks4247]

If my trucking teacher saw me do what you're doing , he would be horrified and would scream at me to stop doing this. Shifting is an art and only careless fools mishandle their tools.

[@user-yj9jq9pu7w]

❤❤❤

[@Rage_Rogers]

Hey! What's Up Eminem?!👌🏿😁

[@9983sp]

Grind it 'til you find it. Heaven forbid you actually use the clutch. I mean, that is what it's designed for.

[@Churchofhell]

You can get in a situation where you can't get it back in gear, seen it way to many times!

[@natev580]

Wow... You never EVER "bounce" your shifter. Soft, solid pressure on the gear that you want to be in and play with the throttle until it falls into place on its own. And it will fall into place if you know what you're doing. Jesus...

[@DEDE_2325]

Save yall selves some trouble from shifting so much just use the gear splitter

[@gregrobertson1025]

Drove a truck that I got to know pretty good, but an automatic is way better

[@stevegreen2432]

Can be a different story with 13 speed box- you may have to stop! Not a real problem with 9,10, 15 or 18 speed. But I don't like a 13!!

[@ricardonelson8263]

I grind gears to downshift to 5th gear I hate it man

[@ricardonelson8263]

I don't grind it to downshift like before being on the road all day 5 days a week will surely help you to improve I'm even down shifting at 1500 RPM 😅😅 I don't look at the dash anymore I listen to the engine and drive the truck.

[@whiskybent100]

I am trying to a jerk but but this needs to be a video how not to shift

[@christopherlankard9730]

That's the point of the video. "What if scenarios" 🤦

[@randygonzalez6250]

I teach my students the hara-kiri method for missed gears.

[@DjDapperB]

And what does that mean?

[@bakielh229]

@@DjDapperB Put it into reverse and then you wanna yank the shifter with both your legs until you start seeing a trail of metal dust in front of your vehicle, you have successfully used the harakiri method to recover your trash American truck gears

[@mjcmyers5345]

Please don't follow these directions for testing, you will fail for not double clutching and driving with one hand.

[@DanJ.Hendon]

Really is this a thing or not I believe it's stupid joke of a video on missing gears on a hill climb just keep the same mile per hour range and don't shift gears out of the minimum speed speed limit

[@ExcavationRevelation]

No joke, but it's not for climbing hills, that's a whole different ball game.

[@user-ml9yx3ge7o]

Leave the teaching to the pro's . Try slowing down to a speed and gear you know son

[@Sixinthefield]

that's exactly what he explained in method #3 (know your go-to gear and speed).

[@g41thomas]

Before teaching others what to do, correct your seating position 🤔 👎👎👎👎

[@ExcavationRevelation]

I prefer to sit a little closer to the wheel than most, but the camera angle does appear to make me look crammed. You have a great point though, adjusting the seat and your mirrors before you start out improves your comfort and ultimately your safety.

[@Rockingmyfifties]

@@ExcavationRevelation You handled that perfectly! Some are just so negative, it’s their fuel. Love your vids. 😊

[@cameronmcpherson6364]

I use a racing position when driving. Full steering/pedal control. Leaned-the-fuck-back driving won't help you when you're truck is trying to toss you to the other parts of the cab.

[@TruckerCash]

I’m 30 seconds in and hearing “sometimes you do have to come to a complete stop if you miss a gear” and that is just NOT true at all. You just need to learn a manual better lol

[@ExcavationRevelation]

Have you ever been fully loaded going up a steep hill and missed a gear? Sometimes, you lose your ground speed so fast that there simply isn't time to recover. Just being real here.

[@TheWhatthefuck12]

GOT THAT MACHINE UP A LITTLE FAR, OVER THE TRAILER WHEELS A BIT MORE