Transportation Safety TrainingDOT Entry Level Driver Training – Basic CMV Operation: Shifting/Operating Transmissions

DOT Entry Level Driver Training – Basic CMV Operation: Shifting/Operating Transmissions

SKU: JCOM-40066
Duration: 0.47 Hrs

Semi-trucks, buses, and other large vehicles are costly machines that depend on large engines and extensive gear systems to travel long distances, haul heavy loads, and run for hours on end under all kinds of conditions. It is important for drivers of these vehicles to understand how their transmissions work and how gears are selected in order to maintain performance, fuel economy, long equipment life, and safety. While automated manual transmissions (AMTs) are gaining ground, manual transmissions are still in use and you will have an advantage if you know how to drive one. If you are new to double clutching, practice pushing in the clutch pedal and moving the shifter to help etch the foot and hand movements and timing into your memory. Also, practice revving up the engine while the truck is in neutral to get a feel for what the different RPMs sound like. The more you practice, the more natural these sounds and actions will become. This course describes how manual, automated manual, and automatic transmissions work, how to shift a multi-speed dual range transmission, and how utilizing proper shifting techniques improves vehicle control and fuel economy.

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Course Details

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Define the terms “torque,” “power,” “gear ratio,” and “power band”
  • Describe the relationship between gear ratio, engine speed, and road speed
  • Explain the benefits of utilizing proper shifting techniques
  • Describe how to shift a dual-range manual transmission in a large CMV
  • Explain the difference between a manual transmission and an automated manual transmission (AMT)

Specs

Course Level Fundamental
Languages English
Compatibility Audio, Video, MobileReady, Responsive

Bob Jonas

Bob Jonas began his trucking adventure in 1973, at the age of twenty-three, driving for a new company that manufactured windows. First employed to drive 20-foot straight trucks, over the next 15 years he logged over a million miles in 11 western states. Starting with 40-foot dry vans, increasing in size to 53 feet, he also pulled doubles, occasionally triples, flatbeds, and reefers (refrigerated trailers). In addition to delivering windows, he was required to back haul everything from raw glass, cereal, oyster shells, potato flakes, paper, Christmas trees, and swinging horse meat. He was also given the responsibility of testing new hires. After leaving the company he had worked for so long, Jonas's life headed in another direction, where he was still able to use his driving skills for part time work. In the next few years, he worked the Christmas rush for UPS, hostling, driving doubles and triples. He also worked for another company delivering 5,000 lbs. spools of newsprint, as well as container pick and delivery to the docks and rail yards. His final miles were logged part time for another window manufacturer. Never knowing what road he would travel next, Bob didn't give up his CDL until 2014.

Course Applies To

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