Floating Gears
05-15-2002, 11:14 PM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Floating Gears
Any of you guys ever shifted without the clutch? Having driven big rigs for the better part of the last year, I got used to not using the clutch, or 'floating' the gears. As long as the rpm is correct, it's a snap. I tried it once with the Porsche, but they ground a bit and I didn't push it. I don't really feel like 'experimenting' with a 944 transmission!
05-16-2002, 09:33 AM
#3
Instructor
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay, having never driven a big rig I'll venture to ask the question:
Why would you float the gears anyway? I can't imagine anything to be gained other than being lazy and not having to clutch. Now considering the amount of gears some rigs have, laziness may be a great reason. Just curious.
Why would you float the gears anyway? I can't imagine anything to be gained other than being lazy and not having to clutch. Now considering the amount of gears some rigs have, laziness may be a great reason. Just curious.
05-16-2002, 10:25 AM
#4
Racer
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No problem at all! If you apply light pressure on the shifter, as the revs come down, it will slide into gear with no problems. I used to work second shift and one night when I left work, I got in the car, stepped on the clutch pedal, and had the dreaded, drop to the floor, problem. I was able to drive the 30 miles home, get my brother, and then drive it another 30 miles to drop it at the shop.
Keep in mind that this was after midnight so traffic was light and I would not do this as recreation, but in a pinch, you can shift without the clutch with no problem. The toughest part in starting from a stop. You have to turn the car off as you come to a red light, put it in first gear, and when the light turns green, turn the key and step on the gas at the same time.
Keep in mind that this was after midnight so traffic was light and I would not do this as recreation, but in a pinch, you can shift without the clutch with no problem. The toughest part in starting from a stop. You have to turn the car off as you come to a red light, put it in first gear, and when the light turns green, turn the key and step on the gas at the same time.
05-16-2002, 02:22 PM
#5
Advanced
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[quote]Originally posted by Jonathan Martini:
<strong>Okay, having never driven a big rig I'll venture to ask the question:
Why would you float the gears anyway? I can't imagine anything to be gained other than being lazy and not having to clutch. Now considering the amount of gears some rigs have, laziness may be a great reason. Just curious.</strong><hr></blockquote>
<strong>Okay, having never driven a big rig I'll venture to ask the question:
Why would you float the gears anyway? I can't imagine anything to be gained other than being lazy and not having to clutch. Now considering the amount of gears some rigs have, laziness may be a great reason. Just curious.</strong><hr></blockquote>
05-16-2002, 02:35 PM
#6
Advanced
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Basically, shifting without the clutch on a big rig, is a good way of avoiding a very swollen knee joint. These clutches have a great deal more resistance than a passenger car or light truck clutch. In driving school they teach you to shift by double clutching EVERY gear except the overdrive gears (only need to clutch once for those). You also DC when your'e dropping gears. Try imagine doing this in stop and go traffic for a couple of hours. Going from a stop to top gear in a 13 speed requires 20 clutching actions if done by the book! So yeah, it's basically preserving the body..
