How much easier is learning manual in a car after knowing how to drive a Semi?
Posted by Ronaldhms@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 12 comments
I understand that you have to hit the throttle as you depress the clutch which for semis you don’t have to since it can go just from the torque, but again, what else would be different?
Side note: is downshifting the same as well? I can judge when do downshift by going off the rpms but there are times I skip gears so idk if you have to go in order while downshifting in a car.
SpaceCat72@reddit
You can drive a car like a semi(rpm matching/floating)but it's not as easy and mess ups can be costly.
0peRightBehindYa@reddit
Depends on the transmission, really. I could drive my old Taurus SHO without using the clutch (once I was moving), but I've driven other cars where you NEED to use the clutch every time.
gettin-hot-in-here@reddit
i would guess driving a manual transmission car is going to be really easy for you (i've never driven a semi but learned to drive a manual car a long time ago). It is actually not entirely true that you must use the gas pedal along with the clutch in a manual car. If you are on flat ground, it's generally possible to start from a stop in a manual car by using only the clutch, but you must be extremely gentle in releasing the clutch. Watch the tachometer or listen to the engine sounds, to ensure that the engine is never close to stalling.
Imaginary_Ad_6352@reddit
No, you apply the throttle as you RELEASE the clutch.
GEEK-IP@reddit
I learned to drive a manual on a school bus. A car was a piece of cake! Better synchronization on the transmission, much more power for the weight, and much more forgiving if you hit the wrong gear.
itchybiscut9273@reddit
It's not even remotely the same. I drove truck for 10 years. First off you have to use a clutch in a car for ever shift. You have to press the clutch all the way, unlike a semi where if you do use the clutch to shift it's like half way, not all the way to clutch break. The principal is the same, shift up when rpms are up, shift down when rpms are down.
Reasonable_Tax_5351@reddit
If you can drive a semi you should really have no difficulty driving a manual car. Don't overcomplicate it, just go by feel.
Last-Shirt-707@reddit
Most cars have enough torque to get going in first without gas, my old Miata can if you slip it a bit- though it’s happier with about 1500rpm at takeoff. In my jeep, on the other hand, doesn’t mind getting moving at 1k rpm. Just depends on the gearing and torque the motor produces. You can downshift multiple gears as well since car transmissions have synchros, just blip the throttle accordingly.
tetsuo_and_soup@reddit
I've never driven a semi but hopefully this helps
The clutch technique should be roughly the same, although yes you usually need to add some gas as you come to the bite point taking off otherwise you'll stall. And downshifting is also the same concept although double clutching is useless since most all transmissions since the 80s are synchronized. There are times where you can skip shift, but with there usually only being 5 or 6 gears in a road car, there's not many times you would. Usually the only time I do in mine is from 6th to 4th when I'm slowing down to a stop, but otherwise you usually go through all the gears going up and down.
Overall it should be pretty easy to transfer, it's the same basic concepts just applied slightly differently.
Herbisretired@reddit
Semi trucks don't have synchros in the transmission which match the gear speed to prevent clashing and it is a lot easier to drive a car with a manual but you have to get used to using the clutch
PawPawsLilStinker@reddit
You'll just wanna use the clutch or it grinds. I only drive a standard transmission car occasionally, but when I do I really quickly start using the clutch again. It feels just like a really old truck with a shitty transmission so you'll just do it automatically
Cornchip117@reddit
Once you learn how to finesse the clutch, everything else is the same. Sometimes you skip gears on down shifts as you did with the semis. Best way to learn is get in and drive in stop and go situation. And some hills