Starting in second gear. When and why?

[psteng19]

I've heard it talked about but I don't see when and why one would do it.

In second gear, even moving at 10 mph will lug my puny 1.6 pretty bad going up a slight incline, so I don't want to know how it will be starting from a standstill.
Sounds like it would be pretty bad on an engine.

 

[Tu13erhead]

Just let off the clutch real slow.

EDIT: Lots of times if I'm stuck in slow moving traffic I'll just keep it in second gear.

 

[AMDZen]

I do it when I'm hurting for traction on Ice or Snow. Less torque makes it easier to get going.

Maybe you live in a part of the country with no snow/ice, but trust me its a lifesaver sometimes. Thats the only time its useful IMO though.

 

[myusername]

for more poerwful engines or more steeply geared cars, it helps traction on slippery surfaces (ice)

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: myusername
for more poerwful engines or more steeply geared cars, it helps traction on slippery surfaces (ice)

 

[vshah]

on slippery roads (ice/snow) it is a good idea, less torque = less chance of wheelspin.

sometimes in slow moving traffic first is too jerky, so i'll stick it in 2nd so I don't have to keep shifting.

It depends on your ratios if you'll be able to do that though...

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: AMDZen
I do it when I'm hurting for traction on Ice or Snow. Less torque makes it easier to get going.

Maybe you live in a part of the country with no snow/ice, but trust me its a lifesaver sometimes. Thats the only time its useful IMO though.

bah, I live in michigan

too bad you cant do it with automatic transmission

 

[jtvang125]

When I shift to triptronic mode, it starts in 2nd gear. But if I leave it in auto, it starts in 1st. Weird.

 

[Heisenberg]

Yeah, it helps with traction in snow/ice and is sometimes more convenient in slower traffic. But you do need a motor bigger than a postage stamp to do it.

 

[NutBucket]

My friend managed to start my car in 3rd once. That's no easy feat in an Accord.

 

[Colt45]

when you're driving your 1971 Impala with bald tires in the snow, second gear helps

 

[psteng19]

Ahhh... I see.
I haven't had the opportunity to do it since my engine is pretty low on torque and I don't drive in the snow too often.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Originally posted by: AMDZen
I do it when I'm hurting for traction on Ice or Snow. Less torque makes it easier to get going.

Maybe you live in a part of the country with no snow/ice, but trust me its a lifesaver sometimes. Thats the only time its useful IMO though.

Yep

<-- lives in Pittsburgh, PA

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
My friend managed to start my car in 3rd once. That's no easy feat in an Accord.

I'm sure the Accord didn't appreciate it either.

2.4L + ~3000 lbs + starting in 3rd =

 

[djpolstee]

I usually start off in second when I didn't shift all the way down when stopping at a light. For some reason, I just forget to finish shifting to first.

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: miniMUNCH

Originally posted by: AMDZen
I do it when I'm hurting for traction on Ice or Snow. Less torque makes it easier to get going.

Maybe you live in a part of the country with no snow/ice, but trust me its a lifesaver sometimes. Thats the only time its useful IMO though.

Yep

<-- lives in Pittsburgh, PA

pittsburgh? whereabouts?
<<at cmu

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: NutBucket
My friend managed to start my car in 3rd once. That's no easy feat in an Accord.

I'm sure the Accord didn't appreciate it either.

2.4L + ~3000 lbs + starting in 3rd =

Nah, this is my '91. 2800 lbs & a 2.2L (stock engine so only about 130 ft-lbs).

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: Cheezeit

Originally posted by: AMDZen
I do it when I'm hurting for traction on Ice or Snow. Less torque makes it easier to get going.

Maybe you live in a part of the country with no snow/ice, but trust me its a lifesaver sometimes. Thats the only time its useful IMO though.

bah, I live in michigan

too bad you cant do it with automatic transmission

you can, the shifter should have gear numbers after drive, mine just has a 2, but i've seen some with 3, 2, 1 or low

 

[OrganizedChaos]

1st gear is the granny gear in beefier transmissions.

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos
1st gear is the granny gear in beefier transmissions.

1st gear is the granny gear in all transmissions, just the way it works

 

[Reckoner]

My WRX doesn't let me shift into first unless i'm traveling at less than 3 mph (approximately). This can be bad if you're slowing down for traffic and you're under 10 mph, and traffic starts moving again. Since I'm usually already in 2nd gear in this scenario, I can either A) Double Clutch into 1st or B) Just keep it in 2nd and sometimes bog the engine. I usually choose the latter of the two becauase I'm not good at double clutching.

 

[bigal40]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
My friend managed to start my car in 3rd once. That's no easy feat in an Accord.

I stalled out and almost got yesterday by accidantlly having the car in third when i thought it was in first while i was pulling out onto a road. The guy behind me pulled right up so i could back up either

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: scorpmatt

Originally posted by: Cheezeit

Originally posted by: AMDZen
I do it when I'm hurting for traction on Ice or Snow. Less torque makes it easier to get going.

Maybe you live in a part of the country with no snow/ice, but trust me its a lifesaver sometimes. Thats the only time its useful IMO though.

bah, I live in michigan

too bad you cant do it with automatic transmission

you can, the shifter should have gear numbers after drive, mine just has a 2, but i've seen some with 3, 2, 1 or low

I was under the impression that '2' in an automatic means second gear is as high as it goes.
Sorta like D3 (overdrive off) in a Honda. The overdrive gear (4th) is off.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
My WRX doesn't let me shift into first unless i'm traveling at less than 3 mph (approximately). This can be bad if you're slowing down for traffic and you're under 10 mph, and traffic starts moving again. Since I'm usually already in 2nd gear in this scenario, I can either A) Double Clutch into 1st or B) Just keep it in 2nd and sometimes bog the engine. I usually choose the latter of the two becauase I'm not good at double clutching.

It's not just your car. Happens in mine's as well.
I just double clutch.

 

[BCYL]

I always start in 2nd when there's ice/snow