which gear to start
 

Just wondering how many people start with 2nd gear when just performing standard driving.

I hate using 1st gear on the road

Start in 1st unless you're on a downhill grade. 1st is easier on the clutch.

I have always started the car from first gear unless the car is still rolling. Now if you are talking about trucks or passenger buses then that is a different story.

Why would you hate this? If not used on the road then where do you use first gear?

:iagree:

Someone will be replacing his clutch very soon!

I weep for your clutch. First gear is your best friend! Always, always, ALWAYS start in first! It's one of the best ways to keep your clutch alive. It's not necessary to shift through all six gears when driving around town, 1-3-5 is an easy to live with pattern for easy driving on flat roads in town up to about 50 mph. Heck, sticks in Vetts, Camaros, GTO's have a built-in 1-4 skip shift. If you're tired of shifting and want to skip gears thats OK, but first gear isn't the one to skip.

Always first.
Not starting in first is just lazy. You need an automatic WITHOUT paddle-shifters.

unless im rolling 3-4mph i use 1st.

i guess you could always just throw it into 6th and just roll along...very very slowly lol.

I accidentally left it in 3rd while waiting at a light. I though there was something wrong with the car when I let the clutch out. Stalled and felt very much like an idiot. Always start in 1st. The 1-2 shift is always tricky, but it's just one of those things that takes a lot of practice.

You will roast up your clutch this way, it will start slipping after a long while.

Only time I'd ever tell someone to start in second is if I'm teaching them how to drive a manual and they have a tough time taking off in 1st.. Just until the get the hang of it then back to starting in 1st.

i use 2nd in snow if im not running snow tires.

I was going to ask about starting in 3rd - in the NSX I have done it, and it works (a little slow off the line :D) but the 7AT won't allow it.

Like the Top Gear episode with the Corvette - you only need one gear!

+1

I remember that episode. I think I would have to slip the clutch a lot to start it in 3rd. When I did it accidentally, I thought I was in 1st, so I let the clutch out like was in first.