newbie driver question

02-27-2008, 12:38 PM

I am going to be taking my road test pretty soon. How do you keep the truck from rolling back when coming to a stop on a hill. If there are any tips, they would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

dannyboy · 02-27-2008, 02:07 PM

I take it you have not driven a stick much, have you?

It is a careful ballance of letting up on the clutch enough to where you can 1 feel it catch 2 hear it slow down the engine. Not to where it dies, but to where you can hear it begin to bog down a bit. Then move your foot off the brake and onto the gas and while slowly giving gas, come up off the clutch slowly as well.

Now, If you are using proper methods at a stop light on a hill (and you can use it anytime you stop on a hill) you would have your emergency brake on. Give the car some gas to speed up the engine just a little, and at the same time slowly come back on the clutch, and as you feel the clutch engage, or hear the engine slow, then release the brake.

With a bit of practice, you will do just fine.

Just remember, everyone was where you are at now. Just keep your cool. and if the sup giving you the test is any good, he will understand if you are a bit jerky in your movements at first.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

d

scratch · 02-27-2008, 02:33 PM

Great advice, danny. It is getting harder and harder for UPS to find people who have experience with a straight shift. Most of the younger drivers today have always driven automatics. I learned to drive in my dad's Ford F-150 with the "three on a tree", where the three speed shifter was mounted on the steering column. Now, you have to just about special order a manual shift transmission to get one in new car models if they offer one at all. Maybe thats why all the newer Package Cars have automatics in them now.

02-27-2008, 02:35 PM

My last two cars were stick shift. I've heard sticks in these trucks were alot different.

DeputyDip · 02-27-2008, 02:53 PM

Holy smokes. Well, first thing to keep in mind is not to think too much. It's like breathing after you get the hang of it, you just do it and don't even think about it. But, if you are just starting out it will be more mind over matter than anything. Alot of those things are diesels and you can just about dump the clutch and not kill it if the truck is empty. I strongly suggest borrowing a buddy's car or something and practice a little at least. It's really easy once you get the hang of it. I drove a granny 4 speed from age 12 to about 30. I could take off in 3rd gear if I wanted to. I tried to teach my sister who is 5 years older to drive it last year and I thought she was going to twist the driveline out of it. She did not and does not grasp the concept. Even in compound! I got a 5 speed 4 cylinder foreign job a few years ago and I looked like a 5 year old trying to drive that thing for about 3 months. Now, I just go. Occasionally I will have my head inserted up my rear and forget to take it out of 5 or shove it in 3 instead of 1 and kill it. Seriously, at least practice a little with something. Find some old tractor or a buddy's car and give it a try. It's not as hard as your mind will make you think it is.

UpstateNYUPSer · 02-27-2008, 03:29 PM

When my two children received their learner's permit one of the first things I did was to teach them both to drive a car with a manual transmission. We actually went to the UPS bldg on the weekend and we drove around the parking lot until they got to be good at it. I then took them to a hill and we worked on that part. This training served my oldest well when she went to a party and the designated driver forgot that he had been designated to drive, not drink, and she had to drive her friends home in a car with a stick as she was the only one there who knew how to drive a car with a manual transmission.

Use the e-brake but don't crank it down too much. Let up on the clutch slightly until you feel it catch and then give it a little gas while releasing the e-brake. Glance at the rear-view camera to see if someone is on your bumper; if so, don't let it worry you. When you have released the brake and are moving forward, give it more gas and continue on your way.

As someone stated earlier, it will soon become second nature and you will look back at your thread and laugh at yourself for being worried. Good luck on your road test.

helenofcalifornia · 02-27-2008, 03:42 PM

I thought manual transmissions were becoming dinosaurs at UPS.

02-27-2008, 03:47 PM

Apparently not in my building! :-)

dcdriver · 02-27-2008, 04:47 PM

most road test in my building are in 800's if you can get away with it dont use first gear try taking off in second.

barnyard · 02-27-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdriver

most road test in my building are in 800's if you can get away with it dont use first gear try taking off in second.

For your road test, always, always, always start in 1st gear. Get the car rolling and go to 2nd.

TB

rod · 02-27-2008, 06:54 PM

After you have come close to doing a wheel stand a few times you will get the hang of it.

browniehound · 02-27-2008, 07:12 PM

The way Danny described is perfect. I would just add, if you're not comfortable, don't release the park brake until the truck begins to move.

Also, what Scratch said is priceless. DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. Just do it. If you start thinking about it and are unsure about yourself, you will get nervous and stall out, roll back, and potentially cause an accident.

Please be safe, this should be your primary concern. If you must, don't stop at the crest of the hill at the stop light. Lay back, even if its 100 feet and you are pissing off the people behind you. Do this until you feel comfortable. But if you continue to do this after a week or so, you probably shouldn't be driving a stick!

IDoLessWorkThanMost · 02-27-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browniehound

The way Danny described is perfect. I would just add, if you're not comfortable, don't release the park brake until the truck begins to move.

Also, what Scratch said is priceless. DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. Just do it. If you start thinking about it and are unsure about yourself, you will get nervous and stall out, roll back, and potentially cause an accident.

Please be safe, this should be your primary concern. If you must, don't stop at the crest of the hill at the stop light. Lay back, even if its 100 feet and you are pissing off the people behind you. Do this until you feel comfortable. But if you continue to do this after a week or so, you probably shouldn't be driving a stick!

Give 2 car (UPS car) lengths at every stop, look in your mirrors like you're an obsessive freak, and don't kill anyone. The hard part is the DOT!

Baba gounj · 02-27-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helenofcalifornia

I thought manual transmissions were becoming dinosaurs at UPS.

Yes they are. Because ( 1 ) new drivers have had no knowledge of them and ( 2) new mechanics who knows what a manual transmission is are very few. Its going to be a wonderful thing when the entire fleet is automatic.

All one has to do to pass the road trip is relax.
Do a full circle check of the vehicle, check the body, check the function of the lights, the turn signals, the horn. Get in it adjust the seat , check the position of the mirrors, close the bulkhead door, put on your seatbelt and drive. Slowly drive . Leave a lot of space between you and everything else. Obey the posted traffic signs, use your turn signals, watch everything around you, and you'll do ok.

toonertoo · 02-27-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UpstateNYUPSer

When my two children received their learner's permit one of the first things I did was to teach them both to drive a car with a manual transmission. We actually went to the UPS bldg on the weekend and we drove around the parking lot until they got to be good at it. I then took them to a hill and we worked on that part. This training served my oldest well when she went to a party and the designated driver forgot that he had been designated to drive, not drink, and she had to drive her friends home in a car with a stick as she was the only one there who knew how to drive a car with a manual transmission.

Use the e-brake but don't crank it down too much. Let up on the clutch slightly until you feel it catch and then give it a little gas while releasing the e-brake. Glance at the rear-view camera to see if someone is on your bumper; if so, don't let it worry you. When you have released the brake and are moving forward, give it more gas and continue on your way.

As someone stated earlier, it will soon become second nature and you will look back at your thread and laugh at yourself for being worried. Good luck on your road test.

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnyard

For your road test, always, always, always start in 1st gear. Get the car rolling and go to 2nd.

TB

And as Danny said dont think about it

I still get nervous when I get a car behind me if I think about it. (Oh wait I have an auto now)

But I have a personal vehicle and Im always worried it may cough or sputter, and stall and Im going to hit the guy behind me IF I THINK ABOUT IT. so I dont.
My boys both had to take their tests with manuals. I told them when they bought their own, buy what ya want, but this is something you need to do. And its like riding a bike, you dont forget. You will be fine, good luck.

satellitedriver · 02-27-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helenofcalifornia

I thought manual transmissions were becoming dinosaurs at UPS.

Helen you can just call me Fred Flintstone.
My mechanic told me my P5 with 700,000. miles on it is not scheduled to be replaced for three more years.
Danny's and Scratch's advice are dead on.
Newbie,
Maybe you could ask the supervisor giving the road test to show you how it should be done?
It will be monkey see, monkey do, in no time for you.( I am not calling you a monkey, it is just an archaic expression.)
Good Luck

mainebrown · 03-02-2008, 05:01 AM

i havn't read any of the replies, sorry i have no time today...but to not make the truck rollback is simple.....use the hand brake, pull it all the way out..and as you release the clutch, slightly release the brake, that way the break will keep you from rolling back and you will only go foward...good luck!

Jack4343 · 03-02-2008, 07:07 AM

Also, make sure your hand brake is properly adjusted so it will actually hold you on the hill without the regular brake applied. If it's too loose, it will not hold and you will roll back as you let off on the foot brake and hit the gas. Tighten it before you start but don't tighten it so tight that you can't get it engaged. As others have said, it will become second nature to you after some practice.