Past few days I have been starting the car in the second gear instead of the first. Specially when I am at the lights, starting in second is so much more fun. Is there any harm to the car because of this ?

 

no youll be fine if its just easy take-offs. you cant exactly gun it off the line in second

 

Yeah I dont try to gun it off either, just slowly let go of the clutch in secong gear and it starts quite smoothly, this way I can drive upto 30 mph in second before changing gear.

 

How much gas do you have to give it though?

I can't see doing this repeatedly because the 1.6L is not exactly a "torquey" engine.

More torque / power = launches in higher gears.

 

I don't see any issues with it, be mindful of the clutch. I've never had any issues starting mine in second, no need to launch it, no lack of torque either.

 

You can start in third if you want, but Im not sure I see the point 1st will take you up to 30.

 

I start in 2nd all winter, but usually stick with 1st in the summer because I feel like I have to let the clutch slip a little more than I'd like in order to take off smoothly. But there's nothing wrong with starting in whatever gear you want as long as you can pull it off - you just have to live with the results (and hope you don't lose a clutch as soon as your free maintenance is up).

 

thats true, first will take you to 30. but its the first to the second. every time i get off the blocks, I start at first and then when changing to the second there is a lag which causes traffic behind me to get frustrated

I dont really have to give it up gas, rev it up for around 2.5 and its good to go.

 

This my friends is my main concern. Will I lose the clutch sooner if I start in second gear?

 

I tried it several times and stopped doing it because it seemed I was wearing out the clutch more.

 

2,500 RPMS!

 

I'm not sure why you want to start in second gear (unless you're on a slippery surface and want to minimize wheel spin), but I'll bet you end up slipping the clutch more doing that. That does not equate to longer clutch life.

 

I would only do that on slippery surfaces as mentioned. I agree with the potential clutch wear especially with 2500 rpm starts. First gear is more fun anyway.

 

i used to rev that high to engage in first when i was first learning manual. it was a lot easier to "engage" when you rev that high but not anymore. looking back, thats pretty high....

never really tried getting the car to start on 2nd... accidentally did it in 3rd a few times but it was a struggle....

 

IMO not enough torque to do it everyday without destroying the clutch

i had a 5.0 mustang with 3.73s in the rear end and u could pull away in 2nd gear all day without givin it any gas just lettin clutch out but it was a torque monster

 

why???? what's the purpose??? what's the advantage? seems to me you're just slipping the clutch unnecessarily

 

^^less shifting, and it's a bit smoother than launching from 1st.

I only launch from 2nd on significant downgrades/downhills, less wear on the clutch, and of course one less shift.

 

The car will actually start fairly easily in 3rd as well., but use 1st. Always starting in 2nd will cause premature clutch wear even if you release smoothly.

 

If it's less shifting you want, then why have a manual? Get an Auto and you can have a lot less shifting.

 

If your good at it, you can chug the car rolling in 5th or 6th. But why would you? 1st gear is for launching, end of topic. If you on ice, still launch in 1st, with a fast shift into 2nd, if you don't have any traction control, otherwise let the traction control, and driving like there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal get you moving on ice.

Mark

 

Wow, now I know why I read about clutches going away at some ridiculously low mileage. As stated earlier, if you don't want to shift, whey did you get a manual tranny?

YD

 

Actually no shifting with an auto . In all seriousness, as a daily driver with pretty much the same route to work it's OK to want to skip a shift once in a while, especially this one steep hill I almost always sit at a red light every day. I.e. depends on the situation. Of course in the big picture would never give up my manual for an auto.

 

This is a horrible idea, say bye bye to your clutches. I would seriously not reccomend doing this

 

1-3-5-6 saves the clutch and gets good mileage.

 

30 years of driving sticks and I agree 100%, but what do I know.