Well when I learned I never tried from 2nd gear. If you can find some areas with slopes or inclines and learn to slowly take off from stops at those points. Learn not to burn the clutch or grind gears, stalling is fine.
As long as you're not bringing up the RPM's it doesn't matter than you're starting from first.
As for downshifting, try not to downshift into first unless you're going slow, like 10mph or less.
Driving in slippery/cold conditions, you could try 1st gear, again as long as you baby it you're fine. It wouldn't hurt to start in 2nd, but you could get away with 1st probably fine.
And since you have summer tires I would advise getting a set of all season tires if temperatures get really cold, like 40F or below. And cold temps+water/snow is even worse.
For an all season tire Nitto's have great all season's, the Neogen's and Invo's.
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