(MT question) Who honestly uses 1st gear besides on a hill?

ZMan8 · 10-07-2012, 03:16 PM

I always use first from a dead stop. It was designed for it and saves 2nd from wear and tear.

SS_Firehawk · 10-07-2012, 03:28 PM

The faster I can get off the clutch per gear, the better. Clutches wear out and using 2nd gear from a stop is a good way to increase wear exponentially, and just like it was mentioned before, the synchros in 2nd weren't made for it. If your tranny does lose 2nd, and you take it in to Nissan, it's not going to get covered because it was damaged under a condition it was not built to withstand. I'm sure they will question why 1st gear looks brand new.

So to answer your question, I'm pretty sure 99.99% of us do, including the computer that controls the auto's tranny

dastaco · 10-07-2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djrelic

Even the syncros in the tranny will not allow you to get into the 1st gear gate unless you are at a complete stop.

I've never had an issue getting into 1st while moving. If you seriously have that issue you need to get your transmission looked at.

asdfsammich · 10-07-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

... I'm pretty sure 99.99% of us do, including the computer that controls the auto's tranny

^^^ this

My bad to OP.

I didn't actually think you we're being serious about using 1st only on uphill starts. I assumed you were just trying to start a thread about how 1st sucks and were being creative about it lols.

Tapatalk & such etc

w0rM · 10-07-2012, 05:59 PM

I use 1st gear and nothing else. 8000 rpms or bust!

Red__Zed · 10-07-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

My Opinion is 1st was designed for a reason to get the car moving and continue the progress with the following gears.

Not using 1st is just adding more stress on a gear that was not designed to be used as the primary gear.

When and if you start having issues with 2nd?

Please don't come back to complain "My 2nd gear is giving me problems"

Good Luck....

More likely to see clutch wear than gear issues...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

The faster I can get off the clutch per gear, the better. Clutches wear out and using 2nd gear from a stop is a good way to increase wear exponentially, and just like it was mentioned before, the synchros in 2nd weren't made for it. If your tranny does lose 2nd, and you take it in to Nissan, it's not going to get covered because it was damaged under a condition it was not built to withstand. I'm sure they will question why 1st gear looks brand new.

So to answer your question, I'm pretty sure 99.99% of us do, including the computer that controls the auto's tranny

You are actually going to see LESS wear on your 2nd gear synchros starting in second...

Jsolo · 10-07-2012, 10:53 PM

2nd gear starts in the snow sometimes. However, with winter tires, I get minimal/no spin starting off in 1st. If the car is moving at least 5 mph, then 2nd gear, else 1st gear. First gear is a bit of a challenge to engage when moving, but with proper rev match, goes right in.

axmea? · 10-08-2012, 01:27 AM

OP - you just made my day. Keep doing what you have been doing and let us know how it is with your car every 90 days.

cheshirecat · 10-08-2012, 06:27 AM

Too much clutch feathering required to start in 2nd for the 370, imo. Sounds more like laziness to not use 1st to get the car moving.

Dsphoto · 10-08-2012, 06:32 AM

1st ALWAYS from a stop. If I am moving at 5-10 then 2nd. Although not having to shift into 2nd does reduce synchro wear in 2nd the extra wear on the clutch isn't worth it. 1st allows the clutch to be smoothly released with minimal slipping. Slipping clutch = extra heat and substantially more wear.

Generally I don't shift into first unless I am below 5mph and usually when I am stopped.

1st is there for a reason.

6spd · 10-08-2012, 06:34 AM

I don't know what all this rough 1st gear nonsense is. Perhaps learning how to drive the car better would help

fuct · 10-08-2012, 08:57 AM

i always use first, and i can slip it in gear while im moving around 5-10 mph no prob.

kenny's 370z · 10-08-2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

I don't know what all this rough 1st gear nonsense is. Perhaps learning how to drive the car better would help

m4a1mustang · 10-08-2012, 09:24 AM

:|

First gear starts were never an issue for me. 2nd required a little too much clutch on anything but a downhill slope IMO, so I'd always start in first on a flat surface. Never had an issue with roughness.

Also, arguing with mods is not recommended.

m4a1mustang · 10-08-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

You are actually going to see LESS wear on your 2nd gear synchros starting in second...

^ This

10-07-2012, 03:16 PM	#16 (permalink)
ZMan8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,844 Drives: 10 370z 40th M6 Rep Power: 658	I always use first from a dead stop. It was designed for it and saves 2nd from wear and tear. __________________ 2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT \| Fast Intentions \| Swift Springs \| SPC \| Z1Motorsports \| JWM \| Redline Oils \| 35% Window Tint 2015 Mazda6 \| 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

10-07-2012, 03:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
SS_Firehawk Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,142 Drives: 13' Magma Red Nismo Rep Power: 7334	The faster I can get off the clutch per gear, the better. Clutches wear out and using 2nd gear from a stop is a good way to increase wear exponentially, and just like it was mentioned before, the synchros in 2nd weren't made for it. If your tranny does lose 2nd, and you take it in to Nissan, it's not going to get covered because it was damaged under a condition it was not built to withstand. I'm sure they will question why 1st gear looks brand new. So to answer your question, I'm pretty sure 99.99% of us do, including the computer that controls the auto's tranny __________________ Old Car:GTM TSC'd 550whp / 410lbft tq @ 11.88PSI New Car: Under Construction

10-07-2012, 05:59 PM	#20 (permalink)
w0rM A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,198 Drives: 2015 Corvette Z06 Rep Power: 35	I use 1st gear and nothing else. 8000 rpms or bust! __________________ \| SOLD September 14th, 2013 \| My Build Journal

10-07-2012, 10:53 PM	#22 (permalink)
Jsolo Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 783 Drives: '12 G37 6MT Rep Power: 14	2nd gear starts in the snow sometimes. However, with winter tires, I get minimal/no spin starting off in 1st. If the car is moving at least 5 mph, then 2nd gear, else 1st gear. First gear is a bit of a challenge to engage when moving, but with proper rev match, goes right in. __________________ G37S Sedan 6MT, Eibach swaybars, Invidia Exhaust, Weaker Clutch Pedal Spring For sale links

10-08-2012, 01:27 AM	#23 (permalink)
axmea? A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,233 Drives: WELL ZED PW 6MT Rep Power: 53241	OP - you just made my day. Keep doing what you have been doing and let us know how it is with your car every 90 days. NitrousZ34 likes this.

10-08-2012, 06:27 AM	#24 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	Too much clutch feathering required to start in 2nd for the 370, imo. Sounds more like laziness to not use 1st to get the car moving.

10-08-2012, 06:32 AM	#25 (permalink)
Dsphoto Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Suffolk cty New York Posts: 159 Drives: 10 BC 370ZR S/T M6 Rep Power: 14	1st ALWAYS from a stop. If I am moving at 5-10 then 2nd. Although not having to shift into 2nd does reduce synchro wear in 2nd the extra wear on the clutch isn't worth it. 1st allows the clutch to be smoothly released with minimal slipping. Slipping clutch = extra heat and substantially more wear. Generally I don't shift into first unless I am below 5mph and usually when I am stopped. 1st is there for a reason. __________________ 78 Z1R, '08 ZX10R, 2010 BC Roadster S/T, 6M, Stillen G2 CAI, Invidia CBE, Berk test pipes, Painted headlights (180˚Custom), JDM rear fog, B&M short shifter, Stillen front plate mount, stubby antenna, setrab oil cooler, uprev. 337rwhp 254ft/lb corrected!

10-08-2012, 06:34 AM	#26 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 24	I don't know what all this rough 1st gear nonsense is. Perhaps learning how to drive the car better would help IDZRVIT likes this. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

10-08-2012, 08:57 AM	#27 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	i always use first, and i can slip it in gear while im moving around 5-10 mph no prob.

10-08-2012, 09:24 AM	#29 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	:\| First gear starts were never an issue for me. 2nd required a little too much clutch on anything but a downhill slope IMO, so I'd always start in first on a flat surface. Never had an issue with roughness. Also, arguing with mods is not recommended. 370Z Purist and Spikuh like this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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