Starting Off In Second .... Any Thoughts ?

[Zincubus]

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I find it a bit annoying that I have to change from 1st to 2nd gear so soon after starting off ..... also "that" change from 1st to 2nd is quite often a little notchy .

Anyways I have experimented with starting off in 2nd gear initially when pointing slightly downhill and now from a normal flat starting point.

I take it real easy and it drives off real smoothly WITHOUT the need for an almost immidiate gear change ( 1st to 2nd).

I seem to remember an old uncle of mine , years ago, who told me that HE always set off in second .... so that the first gear didn't get worn out ...... this was about 35 years ago....

JUst wondering if it could do ANY damage to my RAV .. if though I take it real easy and don't put the clutch or engine under any pressure .

[BigBaz]

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I find it a bit annoying that I have to change from 1st to 2nd gear so soon after starting off ..... also "that" change from 1st to 2nd is quite often a little notchy .

Anyways I have experimented with starting off in 2nd gear initially when pointing slightly downhill and now from a normal flat starting point.

I take it real easy and it drives off real smoothly WITHOUT the need for an almost immidiate gear change ( 1st to 2nd).

I seem to remember an old uncle of mine , years ago, who told me that HE always set off in second .... so that the first gear didn't get worn out ...... this was about 35 years ago....

JUst wondering if it could do ANY damage to my RAV .. if though I take it real easy and don't put the clutch or engine under any pressure .

Providing the engine sounds ok and the revs are sufficient you could probably pull off in any gear !!

[Parts-King]

You could probably pull off in any gear but the clutch would last five minutes, or less!

It may be tempting but don't do it, it could work out expensive in the end, the gear ratios are not guessed, it is like that for a reason.

Kingo

[GT4 BOOSTER]

35 years ago ? didnt cars only have 1 big gear then and needed a crank handle through the radiator to start the engine. ?

[dave.m]

Bit dodgey this mate, my own Rav absolutely hates pulling away from standstill in 2nd gear :(

Dave ;)

[BigBaz]

Bit doggey this mate, my own Rav absolutely hates pulling away from standstill in 2nd gear :(

Dave ;)

Maybe the vertical downward slope ahead of you was missing !!

[dave.m]

Bit doggey this mate, my own Rav absolutely hates pulling away from standstill in 2nd gear :(

Dave ;)

Maybe the vertical downward slope ahead of you was missing !!

yeh, and should have added, see the thread I done recently about my clutch. :o

Dave. ;)

[anchorman]

There is a difference in the spacing of ratios between the 5 speed and the 6 speed box and without doing all the sums I suspect (and only suspect) that first on a 4.3 is lower than first on a 4.2.

The correct and recommended way is to use first gear every time but the bottom line is that as long as you don't put any undue strain on the engine, clutch or transmission there is no need to start in first. A truck may have 16 forward gears but the vehicle manufacturer will not insist that you start in first every time, he will want you to use a gear that is appropriate for the conditions so starting uphill loaded will be a lot different to starting on the level unloaded.

If you can start in second on a downhill gradient or on the level under light throttle and without slipping the clutch then the load on the drive train will be a lot less than say starting on an uphill gradient in first with the car loaded (maybe with a caravan in tow). In fact starting on a steeper downhill gradient in second will probably give you a smoother take up than trying to go through first.

What you will have to gaurd against is becoming complacent and subconciously making the transition to using second all the time even when starting on a slight uphill or under heavy throttle loads. Don't forget that if you damage the clutch or the DMF you may well shoot yourself in the foot when it comes to warranty and I am sure that is what Kingo is advocating.

Common sense applies and you will invariably know if you are not doing your vehicle any good.

Cheers

[Fujisan]

Has Anchorman says common sense applies.

Personally I will use 2nd if the car is still rolling, ie traffic jams, the lights ahead change and so on.

But if the car has come to a complete stop then I will use 1st.

If you don't slip the clutch or put strain on the engine or driveline, I can see no problems.......hopefully

[Parts-King]

35 years ago ? didnt cars only have 1 big gear then and needed a crank handle through the radiator to start the engine. ?

True, but in those days you didnt worry about a clutch, DMF, etc etc. Trust me, starting off in second gear "constantly" will cause you problems. In the commercial world (Coaches, some lorries etc) starting off in second is a disciplinary offence. I deal with a few coach operators who have stickers on the dash "pull away in first gear" otherwise, they are constantly fitting clutches. Anyway, its just sloppy driving pulling off in second, lol

Kingo