13 speed downshifting tips?

You got that right. I drove the city with an oversize gasoline tanker and if I used every gear my right arm would be twice the size as my left. There's just no reason to hit every gear on the way down. You need to know what gear to be in at any given speed. Plus using the direct side will give you a slight advantage if you miss the rpm's to speed. The old saying with twin sticks is " You always shift the main first".

IIRC the 13 speed is the 10 speed with an extra gear on the high side. Could be all different now plus I've been away from 13 speeds a long time.

Really no one can tell you what gear to be in at any given time or speed. Every truck is different especially with weight differences. But I will tell you how I would go about downshifting the 13 speed. When coming to a stop I would let the engine die down around 400 to 600 rpm then bump the engine and shift. I may go from 12th direct to 6th direct and then maybe 5th direct. I'd would avoid going into low range. Then if I need to stop I wouldn't downshift anymore and just stop. You'll be creeping in 5th direct so just pushing the clutch in and stop would be just like stopping normally.

If you were slowing down and you come up to a signal light and it changes to green then you select the gear you know is good for that speed shift and go. It's a beautiful maneuver when you hit the gears right. If you do not select the right gear you'll need to decide right then and there what gear you need to go in. I would also stay in direct when selecting.

It may take some practice and you may find a better way. But give it some time and then you'll know what gear to be in at any given speed. As luck as it with our business you have it down pat and they will go ahead and change your truck for another. Don't get discourage, you'll be gaining more experience on a different truck. Good luck and practice.

 

The newer 13/18 speeds need to be preselected, the older (20 Years) did not. I have seen people who have had a hard time adapting to the preselect pattern.
To the OP I would not split the gears down shifting unless necessary due to load. Down shifting for stopping or slowing down I would go to direct, and drop whole gears after that.

 

thats the way i was taught too....only in an 18....split em up, whole gears down....

 

I think we were talking about splitting down because being as he already shifts a 10, he already knows how NOT to split.

 

That's true, no need to split downshifting, unless you are "Billy Big Rigger" and want to rattle the engine brake in every gear.

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4456478]Hi marineman, reason I did it like that, is I drove some pretty sloppy 13 speeds, and if I pre-selected the splitter, all heck broke loose. Now some transmissions require pre-selecting, like an air 4x4 I drove. That you pre selected the air part and pumped the clutch. That was a funky set up. Also a Mack "super 10", I think, required a pre select with the splitter and quick into neutral and back in the same gear. Didn't like that either. I still like a 13 better than any trans, although, like I've said before, with today's higher horse motors, usually, a 10 is good enough for road application. And the less said about that 3 speed on the shift knob thing, (IH) the better.[/QUOTE]

wow you really are old. Only 4x4 I have experience with is a push button on the dash of my Chevy.

 

HA, I'm so old, I remember when the dead sea was still sick (rimshot) Yeah, that 4X4 was on a tri-axle Louisville Ford with a 238 Detroit. It was the 1st 2 cycle Detroit truck I drove, and I remember thinking there was something wrong with it, it was so slow.

 

I drive an 18spd, I pre select all my gears. I usually on spit down if I hit a grade and need a quick 200 rpm. When slowing or stopping I'll grab full shift. I'd have a 13spd in a heart beat great transmission. The only real benefit of an 18 is it's basically a double over drive, and the low gear is really a low basement gear. Safe travels!

 

Anyone know about the hidden gear on the 13 speed?