(MT question) Who honestly uses 1st gear besides on a hill?

djrelic · 10-07-2012, 12:36 PM

1st gear is so damn low range torquey.

I never really use cause its so rough. I usually always use 2nd gear to pull away from a stop sign or stop light on level ground or when the car is facing down a hill.

Even the syncros in the tranny will not allow you to get into the 1st gear gate unless you are at a complete stop.

I think that 2nd gear is the smoothest way for me to get going from a light or stop.

What is everyone else's opinion on 1st gear in our manual trans car?

cossie1600 · 10-07-2012, 12:38 PM

clutch doesn't like it

djrelic · 10-07-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

clutch doesn't like it

I agree, it really doesnt it. I'll feed it a bit of gas to get it into the 1000-1500 RPM range. As soon as I hit that engagement point, car almost stall like an elephant sat on the flywheel.

anthonyy · 10-07-2012, 01:09 PM

1st comes before 2nd for me...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

Trips · 10-07-2012, 01:34 PM

My Opinion is 1st was designed for a reason to get the car moving and continue the progress with the following gears.

Not using 1st is just adding more stress on a gear that was not designed to be used as the primary gear.

When and if you start having issues with 2nd?

Please don't come back to complain "My 2nd gear is giving me problems"

Good Luck....

djrelic · 10-07-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

My Opinion is 1st was designed for a reason to get the car moving and continue the progress with the following gears.

Not using 1st is just adding more stress on a gear that was not designed to be used as the primary gear.

When and if you start having issues with 2nd?

Please don't come back to complain "My 2nd gear is giving me problems"

Good Luck....

Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z BS AT
Just nice.

jcosta79 · 10-07-2012, 02:34 PM

I use 1st gear, but only until the engine revs to 8,000 RPM. Then I use second.

djrelic · 10-07-2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcosta79

I use 1st gear, but only until the engine revs to 8,000 RPM. Then I use second.

i actually 'lol'd

ya i mean 1st gear in these cars is so short lived, sounds like you are trying to race someone when you get around 3500 RPM in 1st.

ProTip of the week:
I usually make sure Im doing about 90mph on the freeway in 6th and then when I see the exit. I just force it into 1st gear at 90mph. Keeps my rims clean with no brake dust. My forehead slams into the window but rather have clean rims.

7419sundat · 10-07-2012, 02:35 PM

I use first if im totally stopped but I try to roll to a light and keep it in second and just go when it turns green. Starting in seconds Is slipping your clutch a lot more than normal.

Trips · 10-07-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djrelic

Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z BS AT
Just nice.

You asked for an Opinion And just because I'm in AT doesn't mean anything.

I owned and worked on various Z's for the past 25years and all been Manuals so don't throw the AT nice comment if you aren't going to like peoples opinions.

jcosta79 · 10-07-2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

I'm in AT.

Red__Zed · 10-07-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

My Opinion is 1st was designed for a reason to get the car moving and continue the progress with the following gears.

Not using 1st is just adding more stress on a gear that was not designed to be used as the primary gear.

When and if you start having issues with 2nd?

Please don't come back to complain "My 2nd gear is giving me problems"

Good Luck....

More likely to see clutch wear than gear issues...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

The faster I can get off the clutch per gear, the better. Clutches wear out and using 2nd gear from a stop is a good way to increase wear exponentially, and just like it was mentioned before, the synchros in 2nd weren't made for it. If your tranny does lose 2nd, and you take it in to Nissan, it's not going to get covered because it was damaged under a condition it was not built to withstand. I'm sure they will question why 1st gear looks brand new.

So to answer your question, I'm pretty sure 99.99% of us do, including the computer that controls the auto's tranny

You are actually going to see LESS wear on your 2nd gear synchros starting in second...

m4a1mustang · 10-08-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

You are actually going to see LESS wear on your 2nd gear synchros starting in second...

^ This

asdfsammich · 10-07-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djrelic

... As soon as I hit that engagement point, car almost stall like an elephant sat on the flywheel.

I think it's widely enough agreed that the Zs MT is not so forgiving to user error. Personally I don't mind that it takes some effort to make the car react well. It's a sports car. It's good that it requires some skill to drive well.

Not all may agree though.

Tapatalk & such etc

robones · 10-07-2012, 02:54 PM

LOL starting from 2nd feels sluggish unless you apply some gas and rev match. Bypassing 1 is just plain silly.... c'mon man! All you are achieving is premature wear and tear. Good luck with that!

10-07-2012, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
djrelic Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Philly Posts: 116 Drives: 09' Touring 6spd Rep Power: 13	(MT question) Who honestly uses 1st gear besides on a hill? 1st gear is so damn low range torquey. I never really use cause its so rough. I usually always use 2nd gear to pull away from a stop sign or stop light on level ground or when the car is facing down a hill. Even the syncros in the tranny will not allow you to get into the 1st gear gate unless you are at a complete stop. I think that 2nd gear is the smoothest way for me to get going from a light or stop. What is everyone else's opinion on 1st gear in our manual trans car?

10-07-2012, 01:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
anthonyy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Gatos, CA Posts: 1,027 Drives: Lexus CT Rep Power: 17	1st comes before 2nd for me... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2 TreeSemdyZee likes this.

10-07-2012, 01:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,732 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	My Opinion is 1st was designed for a reason to get the car moving and continue the progress with the following gears. Not using 1st is just adding more stress on a gear that was not designed to be used as the primary gear. When and if you start having issues with 2nd? Please don't come back to complain "My 2nd gear is giving me problems" Good Luck.... TreeSemdyZee, kenny's 370z and Macey370z like this. __________________

10-07-2012, 02:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	I use 1st gear, but only until the engine revs to 8,000 RPM. Then I use second. DIGItonium, Spikuh, b1adesofcha0s and 3 others like this. __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

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10-07-2012, 12:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	clutch doesn't like it

10-07-2012, 02:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
7419sundat Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: colorado Posts: 145 Drives: 09 370z Gtm TT 2 Rep Power: 14	I use first if im totally stopped but I try to roll to a light and keep it in second and just go when it turns green. Starting in seconds Is slipping your clutch a lot more than normal.

10-07-2012, 02:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
robones Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami Posts: 357 Drives: 2011 - Nissan 370 M6 Rep Power: 15	LOL starting from 2nd feels sluggish unless you apply some gas and rev match. Bypassing 1 is just plain silly.... c'mon man! All you are achieving is premature wear and tear. Good luck with that!