Starting in 2nd. Bad?

Not as long as you get your foot OFF the clutch quickly. If I'm on level ground and the car is warmed up, I do start off in 2nd about half the time. I don't raise the engine speed much off idle and when I get it rolling, I step off the clutch quickly, and ALWAYS before applying power.

It's really easy in something with a bunch of torque, like a TR!

 

The higher the gear the more the clutch has to slip to get the car rolling -- there's less available torque to the rear wheels so you have to slip the clutch to avoid bogging the motor. You CAN start a car rolling in higher gears, but if you try to leave like you do in first you'll wear the clutch faster.

 

you can feel it when you are straining the clutch or engine. as long as the car has enough torque and you dont have the clutch partially engaged for long its not bad....cars are wear and tear machines so you are always wearing them down....its just a matter of how much wear and tear you put on them


*yes the revs will be lower when starting from second....from a stop you can feel if the engine is straining when starting in second with the lower revs.

 

I do this in the 348 a lot too. It is just sort of a pain in 1st esp in stop and go traffic that I sometimes get stuck in.

 

Yes: it encourages you to not come to a full stop for a stop sign.

Someday you might be somewhere that actually enforces traffic laws.

 

I misread the question. I do sometimes start off from a dead stop in 2nd.

In my t Coupe, in my wife's E46 M3, in a number of cars...

And yes, I'm the mechanic that has to fix it if there is premature disc wear...

Oh, and by the way, my sports racing car is geared for 87 mph at redline in FIRST gear... <grin>

 

Assuming this isn't a troll (??)

Starting from rest in a higher gear will inevitably put more strain/wear into
your clutch.

If you can't control your right foot & stop the thing from over-revving or wheelspinning then you need to go back to driving school in all honesty. (either that or try driving in some lighter/softer shoes).

I.

 

If I am in slow traffic and not at a dead stop I normally just use 2nd and be careful of the clutch. If I am at a dead stop typically its 1st gear.

Russell

 

That is about the dumbest thing you could have said.

Chris is Rossa subscribed and has a post count of over 5,000!!!

You sir are less for your hasty words.

I would advise you to apologize.

 

Hah!, always knew you 'mericans didn't know how to use a gearbox

Most earlier British cars had a first gear only fit for climbing walls with anyway and added to that, probably like your Spitfire?, they didn't have synchromesh on first. So you either master the delights of double de-clutching or do what everybody else did and not use first unless from standing still.

I agree with the others, don't use a lot of gas in 2nd until the clutch is engaged.

Richard

 

Chris, whilst it's better to get used to driving "stick" and using all 4 gears apart from wearing out the clutch components a bit quicker you wont do a great deal of damage


Chris, did you do the write up of the Reading concours in this quaters UK Ferrari Owners Club "Ferrari" magazine?

 

From one british car owner to another use second gear syncro and then go into first. When you come to a stop, go into second gear and gently push into first - it will go in with no grinding. this also works for reverse as well

 

Most early US cars with manuals did not have syncros in 1st either.

Starting out in 2nd no big deal when done gently, but I would not recommend it for starting on an uphill grade. Letting out the clutch in 1st quickly with a lot of revs will wear it faster.

Dave

 

Chris, when you say "So the revs should be lower when i'm starting in 2nd?," that's correct!

 

You ADVISE me to apologise???? One is tempted, sir, to ask "or what....????? "

but whatever, anything to keep the peace. I didn't clock his post count, I therefore apologise to the OP for suggesting he might have been trolling & there was no intent to cause offense.......


Now, are YOU happy?

I.

 

Chris,
for what is worth my little old Triumph (exactly the same than yours...) rarely used the first, and I drove it for almost 20.000 iles before selling without clutch problems (well, plenty of problems, but not with the clutch ).
Very light car, very short second gear, no issue whatsoever.
Ciao
Eugenio

 

Here is a picture of my little Triumph, my wife driving a friend around.
Ciao
Eugenio
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I've upped the hp in my 308 quite a bit (it;s 500+) and I've found that 1st gear isn't particularly useful any more. I use it in parking lots or creeping in traffic, but it's uncontrolable for quick starts. If I'm in a hurry I just start in second where I can (somewhat) control the wheel spin.