Starting in second gear.
 

This is probably a really newb question, but I often find myself (99% of the time) drive the car from a stop, starting in 2nd gear. Does anyone else do it? Is it "bad" to do this?

Not a good idea. Puts too much stress on the engine from a start (think, immediately
'lugging' the engine)

Your 1st gear is designed to be the primary gear not 2nd gear.
I don't recommend doing this on a regular basis.

Here's an article from the Dallas Morning News giving more
information (article about Saturn, but same reasoning applies):
"Skipping first gear will kill Saturn's clutch faster"

Yeah I've done it a few times. But kinda on accident. Don't do it though lol

please don't do it

Won't do anything to the engine. The clutch is another story.

2nd gear start
 

I know already I will get some unfavorable comments but still wondering.

I owned lots of manual shift cars in the past, growing up in Germany it's kind of in my blood, but I find myself starting to drive in the 2nd gear instead of 1st.
Never used to do that on any of the BMW, VW or even on my Porsche 428S4. (All time favored car)
The 1st is in my humble opinion so short geared it makes almost no sense to use it in normal driving condition.

Am I the only one who does that, keep in mind I only have the car for a couple of days, just curios really. :confused:

I start in second if I'm at a light or stop sign on a hill, or already slowly rolling. From a dead stop I don't usually do it, but don't look at it unfavorably either.

Yea I hear ya, the 1st gear on this car is short. But most people here(include me) still start the car from stop using 1st gear. I occasionally use 2nd gear to start in the stop and go traffic. Especially when the car going really slow but not completely stopped yet(under 5mph) it usually has the resistance to let you put in 1st gear.

However, I am sure you are not the first one here.

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ual-owner.html

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...cond-gear.html

For me, first gear is perfect for cruising speed around a neighborhood with kids or parking lots :tup: Why are so many people scared of 1st gear in this car? :confused:

The rule for me is 1st if complete stop. 2nd if rolling.

You must rev up to match the gear speed. I personaly dont start in second, because by doing that you will deminish the life of your clitch. What i did is put redline tranny fluid and it made it possible to go in to the 1 st gear, exept when its cold like below zero yeah it dosent go in every time at 5 mph. Allthough i allways rev match to 1 gear and it goes in every time, and i dont think that gear is too short, and ye i aggree it could be a lil longer so u guys quit complaining.

Thanks guys, yeah is quite short, most concerning is the double clonk noise it makes when getting out of 1st. It's also there when going into 3rd but not as pronounced. But reading through the various posts, it seems to be normal.

What the hell is a Porsche 428S4?

Or do you mean 928?

Clutches are way too expensive to start in 2nd as far as I'm concerned. I always use 1st. This isn't a truck.

Haha yes! Lol...

And yeah, I don't rev match since I turned on the SyncroRev Match. But your right, next time I will rev match when I downshift to the 1st.

2nd is useful to take off from a stand still in snow with crappy tires. With winter tires, no issues starting off in 1st, even in packed/deep snow (within reason).

haha, indeed not 428 but 928.

Was introduced in 1987, at least in Germany were I was living at that time, not sure about the US, basically a 928 with some upgrades, not AWD as some people think:

1987
Model designation: 928 S4
Weight: 1590 kg (3500 lb)
Engine displacement: 5.0 L
Valves: 32
Power: 320 PS (316 hp, 236 kW) / 300 PS (296 hp, 221 kW) for Australia.
Changes:
Different style pistons, cylinder heads, camshafts, intake and larger intake valves compared to earlier 5.0 L engines.
Nominal static compression ratio 10.0:1 (True ratio between 9.4:1 and 10.0:1, depending on parts used).
Cylinder head studs used in all earlier engines replaces with bolts making it easier to remove heads while engine is in engine bay.
Updated LH-Jetronic injection and ignition changed to EZK system, two knock sensors added to engine. Single disk clutch on manual transmission cars, larger torque converter on automatics.
Modified front brake calipers into use with 2 mm diameter increase for large piston. Cars sold to U.S., Canada, Australia and Arabic countries got new parts once remaining old design caliper stock was used up.
New style front & rear bumpers and rear wing spoiler.
Redesigned front and rear bumper light assemblies.
Body changed compared to earlier models to accommodate larger rear lamps, rear seat area modified to give room for new torque converter.
Upwards folding rear spoiler and piston oil squirters in engine block on early cars only.
Different horsepower rating for Australia due to different ignition map used because of possible low grade fuel.

Try doing a clutch dump in 2nd, you will learn not to start in 2nd again....

start in second only if your on a steep incline going down or already coasting

Why should I do such a silly thing. It is not about learning anything, I do know how to start in 1st, not my first manual. Just dislike the short first gear and was "wondering" if it's just me, apparently not, but thanks for the suggestion on not to dump the first. :rolleyes:

You will smell your answer

I know what you mean...I prefer to do this as long as I am not on any kind of incline. The 1st - 2nd shift happens so quickly that it's a bit frustrating, especially since it is so jerky. I am able to get my clutch out about as quickly as I could in 1st so I do not personally see a reason why this is that bad. I would expect this to wear out the clutch quicker (as opposed to slower or the same), but if you are doing it properly the extra wear should be marginal.

Ha? :ugh: use first gear unless rolling..

I always use first gear for parking lots, but not for cruising, the engine makes to much noise after 2.5K RPMs in 1st. Like wining or something.

Huh? My 1-2 shifts are pretty smooth, unless I'm wrapping it out in the beginning of some spirited driving. ;)

This...

Launching in 2nd...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psd0b04c61.jpg

I stopped shortly after I did this... and this was on a upgraded clutch. The stock one has no chance.

When you say launching, I assume you mean "launching" and not "starting off in". Unless you are turbo'd, I cannot imagine why you would start off in anything other than first for quickest acceleration.

I did second gear starts for the first week of ownership on my '09. I had just come from a 4 Cyl Accord 5 Speed and the Z clutch took a while to get used to. I just couldn't get smooth starts right. It's like second nature now, even taking a couple years off between cars. I am not sure why people complain about the clutch so much. Give it time and you will adjust.

You want a fun clutch, try a Termi Cobra. It's a cable clutch (no hydraulics) and not meant for sissies.