starting from stop? (first time manual owner)

wat2win · 02-27-2011, 08:04 PM

Hey guys, 370z is my first manual car and I have some questions about shifting from stop.

Some of my friends told me that for DD its easier to just start from 2nd gear, instead of starting from 1st gear, unless im racing or needing fast start.

Is it ok? my guess is ill have a bit more clutch wear than starting from 1st.

Also on slippery conditions, such as raining day or snow, is it easier to start moving from 2nd gear? rather than 1st?

Its my first manual car... so I just have many questions from what i heard from ppl about driving manual car.

bleufiend · 02-27-2011, 08:19 PM

Regular dry driving, start the car in 1st gear, its a 6 speed so your going to be shifting alot more often then if you had a 5 speed before obviously. For slippery/wet conditions you can try starting in 2nd gear but with VDC it would catch the wheel spin before it would get away from you unless your flooring it. Save your clutch, start in 1st gear.

InTheZone · 02-27-2011, 08:19 PM

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.

Kcuba370z · 02-27-2011, 08:21 PM

hmmm.., i dont agree with learning stick for the first time in our cars,

wat2win · 02-27-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InTheZone

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.

I am planning to get winter tires. Thx

wat2win · 02-27-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kcuba370z

hmmm.., i dont agree with learning stick for the first time in our cars,

Its not first time with manual, I had plenty of practice with friends cars for past 2 years, but I guess Im still learning, since i stall at least once everyday...

cheshirecat · 02-27-2011, 08:30 PM

IMO, don't bother downshifting to first unless you're at a stop. 800-1000 rpm in second gear is around 4-6 mph.

wat2win · 02-27-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

IMO, don't bother downshifting to first unless you're at a stop. 800-1000 rpm in second gear is around 4-6 mph.

yea i dont really think about downshifting to 1st... either 2nd and neutral for stop or 2nd it is.

kenchan · 02-27-2011, 09:16 PM

Unless your car is rolling or on ice use 1st gear. I've yet to stall my Z. It has so much torque unless you have no left foot control you can't stall this car.

wat2win · 02-27-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Unless your car is rolling or on ice use 1st gear. I've yet to stall my Z. It has so much torque unless you have no left foot control you can't stall this car.

well... i guess that makes me noob.... i notice it has so much torque, its just im not use to this clutch and clutch itself, that i let the clutch out too fast.

kenchan · 02-27-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wat2win

well... i guess that makes me noob.... i notice it has so much torque, its just im not use to this clutch and clutch itself, that i let the clutch out too fast.

Its okay, when I drive AT I accidentally slam the brake with my left foot while I brainfart and think its the clutch...

jaedub · 02-27-2011, 09:31 PM

I dont suggest you start from 2nd cuz that will get your clutch worked up a bit....unless your car is at a roll or a downhill. 1st gear is perfectly fine with me. Just gotta get used to it. 370z isnt a easy car to drive or get used to it on manual. It'll be rough the first few weeks but you'll eventually get the hang of it.

spearfish25 · 02-27-2011, 09:35 PM

If Nissan wanted you to start in 2nd, they'd have called it 1st.

Nitrouz · 02-28-2011, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

If Nissan wanted you to start in 2nd, they'd have called it 1st.

Skeeterbop · 02-28-2011, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

If Nissan wanted you to start in 2nd, they'd have called it 1st.

x2

02-27-2011, 08:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
wat2win Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seoul, Korea Posts: 132 Drives: 40th Z Rep Power: 14	starting from stop? (first time manual owner) Hey guys, 370z is my first manual car and I have some questions about shifting from stop. Some of my friends told me that for DD its easier to just start from 2nd gear, instead of starting from 1st gear, unless im racing or needing fast start. Is it ok? my guess is ill have a bit more clutch wear than starting from 1st. Also on slippery conditions, such as raining day or snow, is it easier to start moving from 2nd gear? rather than 1st? Its my first manual car... so I just have many questions from what i heard from ppl about driving manual car.

02-27-2011, 08:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
bleufiend Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 200 Drives: 370z MB Spt/Tour 6sp Rep Power: 14	Regular dry driving, start the car in 1st gear, its a 6 speed so your going to be shifting alot more often then if you had a 5 speed before obviously. For slippery/wet conditions you can try starting in 2nd gear but with VDC it would catch the wheel spin before it would get away from you unless your flooring it. Save your clutch, start in 1st gear. __________________ Z34 owner formerly Z33. OZOC FTW.

02-27-2011, 09:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	If Nissan wanted you to start in 2nd, they'd have called it 1st. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New first time Z owner and first mod...	track370	Introduction	3	09-28-2010 12:14 PM
New 370Z Owner in need of Service Manual	Thatguy	New Forum Member	1	01-28-2010 11:34 AM
First time Z owner	TipsZ	New 370Z Owner	15	05-11-2009 11:33 AM
First time Z owner in CO	Mr Foxwolf	New 370Z Owner	0	04-25-2009 07:32 PM
First time owner - long time admirer	ZCarGo	New 370Z Owner	15	03-20-2009 03:25 PM

02-27-2011, 08:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
InTheZone Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NC Posts: 37 Drives: Turbo '00 Civic EX Rep Power: 15	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.

02-27-2011, 08:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kcuba370z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New York Posts: 340 Drives: Z34 Rep Power: 15	hmmm.., i dont agree with learning stick for the first time in our cars,

02-27-2011, 08:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	IMO, don't bother downshifting to first unless you're at a stop. 800-1000 rpm in second gear is around 4-6 mph.

02-27-2011, 09:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Unless your car is rolling or on ice use 1st gear. I've yet to stall my Z. It has so much torque unless you have no left foot control you can't stall this car.

02-27-2011, 09:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
jaedub Track Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 906 Drives: 2010 Black 370Z MT Rep Power: 305	I dont suggest you start from 2nd cuz that will get your clutch worked up a bit....unless your car is at a roll or a downhill. 1st gear is perfectly fine with me. Just gotta get used to it. 370z isnt a easy car to drive or get used to it on manual. It'll be rough the first few weeks but you'll eventually get the hang of it.