Posted: 5/19/2011 10:14:41 AM EDT
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Ok this is likely a really dumb question but what does "Double Sticked" mean in reference to the transmission/shifters in a vehicle.
I've driven a manual quite a bit, and seen several vehicles set up with double sticks, but I really don't know what they do or are for. |
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There are two different things that come to mind.
In 4x4s, generally rock crawlers they will have the transfer case so they can shift each axle into high low or neutral independently. Sometimes to use "cutting brakes" or any other time it might help. The other is in some 18 wheelers they will have 5x4, 6x4, etc transmissions. Its pretty much like two transmissions back to back. Not the same as a splitter. |
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Quoted:
There are two different things that come to mind. In 4x4s, generally rock crawlers they will have the transfer case so they can shift each axle into high low or neutral independently. Sometimes to use "cutting brakes" or any other time it might help. The other is in some 18 wheelers they will have 5x4, 6x4, etc transmissions. Its pretty much like two transmissions back to back. Not the same as a splitter. Thanks, I was asking specifically in regards to 4x4s, probably should have included that in the OP |
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Quoted:
Ok this is likely a really dumb question but what does "Double Sticked" mean in reference to the transmission/shifters in a vehicle. I've driven a manual quite a bit, and seen several vehicles set up with double sticks, but I really don't know what they do or are for. It generally refers to a transfer case in 4x4's. There is also the term 'double clutching' which was originally a technique that was used many years ago before the invention of synchros for the transmission as well as helical as opposed to straight cut gears. Nowadays the term is almost always associated with track cars and racing as many track prepped and race cars still rely on straight cut or what are known as dog box transmissions. When a driver double clutches what he does is press down the clutch and come off the throttle while shifting from gear into neutral. Then releases the clutch quickly in neutral which will decrease revs to a point that matches the next gear. Then clutch back in, gear, gas clutch out. Without synchros or with a straight cut gearbox, you cant rely on the synchros to absorb the difference in the drive loads between the engine and tranny so they must be matched manually. I got into the habit of double clutching back when I was 17 and just like every other aspect of driving a stick I find myself doing it the majority of the time without even realizing. Although tis not at all necessary with modern road cars, double clutching will theoretically prolong the life of the transmission by reducing wear dramatically on the synchros which is why I do it. It is also helpful if you ever get caught 'floating' between gears to long and especially when trying to get into reverse on many if not most stick shift cars. The reason why dobule clutching is so effective for reverse gear is because reverse gear is still a non helical cut gear in most cars, which is why is can sometimes be a bitch to get into if your not sure what your doing. The other major technique which is much more important and is a fundamnetal skill that must be learned when driving a sports car with a manual is called heel and toing, pressing down on the brake to slow the car before entering a corner, the clutch to downshift as well as the throttle to blip the rpms to match the downshift. This is required for a high speed corner from say a 5-2 downshift, it is also the reason that almost all stick shifts and all stick shifts sports cars have noticiably different pedal positions than autos, the gas and brake are closer together and also depress more similarly. |