Shifting Gears
This domain tests manual transmission control: starting, upshifting, downshifting, and protecting the engine and brakes on grades. The examiner looks for smooth, timed shifts and no coasting.
Match gear, speed, and rpm
Use the clutch fully and release smoothly. In a non-synchronized transmission, double clutch: shift to neutral, release the clutch, press it again, then select the gear. Upshift before the engine reaches its governed speed; downshift before the engine lugs. Progressive shifting-using only the rpm needed-saves fuel and reduces wear. Do not skip the gear that matches your road speed.
Grades and curves
Downshift before a downgrade, not after it begins. A lower gear lets engine braking help control speed and reduces brake fade. Downshift before a curve or intersection so you can accelerate through it without shifting. Never coast in neutral; you lose engine braking and control.
Worked example
You approach a long 6 percent downgrade at 55 mph in high gear. Reasoning: waiting until the truck speeds up leaves too little time to shift and may overheat the brakes. Slow before the crest, select a gear that holds a safe speed, and use intermittent braking only if needed.
Traps
Riding the clutch, coasting downhill, lugging the engine, and shifting in the middle of a curve are mark-losers. A missed shift is less serious than forcing a gear and damaging the transmission.