Starting in second gear.

Viera · 03-28-2010, 12:19 AM

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?

Auston · 03-28-2010, 12:20 AM

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

Trips · 03-28-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viera

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?

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

Auston · 03-28-2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auston

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

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"

CWofRR · 03-28-2010, 02:54 AM

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

ricky bobby · 03-28-2010, 03:01 AM

please don't do it

370Zsteve · 03-28-2010, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auston

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

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

alvitdk · 03-30-2013, 11:19 AM

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.

3.7 ZPA · 03-30-2013, 11:22 AM

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.

forza370z · 03-30-2013, 12:28 PM

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.

starting from stop? (first time manual owner)

Starting in second gear.

JARblue · 03-30-2013, 02:02 PM

For me, first gear is perfect for cruising speed around a neighborhood with kids or parking lots

Why are so many people scared of 1st gear in this car?

homeryansta · 03-30-2013, 02:04 PM

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

DOOMMONKEY777 · 03-30-2013, 03:07 PM

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.

alvitdk · 03-30-2013, 03:48 PM

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.

122554 · 03-30-2013, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvitdk

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.

What the hell is a Porsche 428S4?

Or do you mean 928?

03-28-2010, 12:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Viera Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 897 Drives: '09 M.Blue 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 264	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?

03-28-2010, 02:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
CWofRR Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cali Posts: 116 Drives: herra slow Rep Power: 15	Yeah I've done it a few times. But kinda on accident. Don't do it though lol __________________ IG impwks_wes

03-30-2013, 11:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
alvitdk Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Braunfels/TX Age: 55 Posts: 140 Drives: 13' Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 12	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. __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------- 13' Nissan 370Z-MT6-PW\| R15%-S35% tint \| Powertrix F20/R25 \| 20% Clutch Spring \|

03-30-2013, 02:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	For me, first gear is perfect for cruising speed around a neighborhood with kids or parking lots Why are so many people scared of 1st gear in this car? __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

03-30-2013, 02:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
homeryansta Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brooklyn Park, MN Posts: 424 Drives: 04 se-r spec v, 370z Rep Power: 14	The rule for me is 1st if complete stop. 2nd if rolling. Smashley likes this. __________________

03-28-2010, 12:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
Auston Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 764 Drives: 2009 Z34 T+S RAE Rep Power: 16	Not a good idea. Puts too much stress on the engine from a start (think, immediately 'lugging' the engine)

03-30-2013, 11:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
3.7 ZPA Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 352 Drives: '09 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 12	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.

03-30-2013, 12:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
forza370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: 403 Forbidden Posts: 2,512 Drives: 2009 NISMO 370Z Rep Power: 18	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. starting from stop? (first time manual owner) Starting in second gear.

03-30-2013, 03:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
DOOMMONKEY777 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Crooklyn Posts: 1,008 Drives: 370Z 6psd-sport-pkg Rep Power: 20	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. __________________ Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane Last edited by DOOMMONKEY777; 03-30-2013 at 03:10 PM.

03-30-2013, 03:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
alvitdk Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Braunfels/TX Age: 55 Posts: 140 Drives: 13' Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 12	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. __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------- 13' Nissan 370Z-MT6-PW\| R15%-S35% tint \| Powertrix F20/R25 \| 20% Clutch Spring \|

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