ELDT ELDT - Entry Level Driver Training Shifting and Vehicle Control Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When should a driver downshift a manual transmission CMV?
- After entering a curve
- Before entering a curve or hill (Correct answer)
- Only when coming to a complete stop
- At any time during normal driving
Correct answer: Before entering a curve or hill
Drivers should downshift before entering curves or descending hills to maintain control and engine braking power.
Question 2: What is double clutching and why is it used in heavy trucks?
- Pressing the clutch twice to engage the starter
- Releasing and re-engaging the clutch while moving through neutral to synchronize gear speeds (Correct answer)
- Using the clutch to slow the vehicle without brakes
- A technique to engage the PTO
Correct answer: Releasing and re-engaging the clutch while moving through neutral to synchronize gear speeds
Double clutching allows the driver to match transmission and engine speeds when shifting, reducing gear wear in non-synchromesh transmissions.
Question 3: What happens if a driver tries to downshift at too high a speed in a manual transmission truck?
- The transmission will automatically skip to a lower gear
- The engine will over-rev and transmission damage can occur (Correct answer)
- The air brakes will engage
- Nothing — the transmission prevents it
Correct answer: The engine will over-rev and transmission damage can occur
Forcing a downshift at excessive speed causes the engine to over-rev when the gear engages, potentially damaging the transmission or drivetrain.
Question 4: What does the term 'stall speed' mean in the context of automatic transmissions in CMVs?
- The RPM at which the engine shuts off
- The speed at which the torque converter stops transferring power efficiently (Correct answer)
- The minimum speed needed before shifting out of first
- The RPM limit for park engagement
Correct answer: The speed at which the torque converter stops transferring power efficiently
Stall speed is the RPM point at which the torque converter can no longer efficiently transfer engine power to the drivetrain under load.
Question 5: Why is it important to use the proper gear when starting on an uphill grade?
- To prevent radiator overheating
- To avoid rolling back and maintain enough power to move forward (Correct answer)
- To engage the PTO at the correct RPM
- To allow the air compressor to build pressure
Correct answer: To avoid rolling back and maintain enough power to move forward
Starting in too high a gear on a hill may stall the engine, while the correct low gear provides sufficient torque to move the loaded vehicle forward.
Question 6: What is the recommended technique for shifting a 10-speed manual transmission truck from 5th to 6th gear (the split)?
- Use the clutch and shift lever simultaneously with extra force
- Toggle the range selector to high range while in neutral
- Use the splitter switch to go from low to high split while near the shift point (Correct answer)
- Apply the brakes briefly to slow engine RPM
Correct answer: Use the splitter switch to go from low to high split while near the shift point
At the appropriate RPM, the splitter switch is toggled to high position while releasing the throttle briefly, engaging the split gear without moving the main shift lever.
ELDT ELDT - Entry Level Driver Training Shifting and Vehicle Control Questions and Answers 1
When should a driver downshift a manual transmission CMV?