Start car in second gear

[jnkhan82]

Hey,

Is it bad to drive of the light in 2nd gear verse 1st? I really hate the shift from 1 and 2, even with the CDV delete, there is still that jerk unless I slip the clutch a little. When I use the 2nd gear, its smooth shifts all the way through.

Any input? I assume the clutch will wear a little faster, but it also equals less shifts, so it might break even? duno. Anyone?

[Phishman]

Don't take this the wrong way because I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you should probably just get an automatic or a different car if you're not planning on using all the gears. Have you tried shifting fast at higher rpms? I've found that helps.

[dubsesd]

1st to 2nd shifts very smooth....just rev it up to 3500 and flick it back. I found that anything under 3500 in first gets knotchy. I wouldn't recommend taking off from second

[jnkhan82]

Originally Posted by Phishman

Don't take this the wrong way because I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you should probably just get an automatic or a different car if you're not planning on using all the gears. Have you tried shifting fast at higher rpms? I've found that helps.

LoL its coo, I think that as well sometimes, way to much stop and go traffic in New York...its always 1-2-3...I don't go on long drives much.

Originally Posted by dubsesd

1st to 2nd shifts very smooth....just rev it up to 3500 and flick it back. I found that anything under 3500 in first gets knotchy. I wouldn't recommend taking off from second

yeah, I've noticed that as well, I tend to shift below 3k, normally like 2500, almost 3 and it jumps —rest of the gears are smooth sailing.

[Phishman]

I wouldn't blame you for going automatic if you travel in the city, it's probably hard to find enough space in traffic to get up to 3500...

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Phishman

I wouldn't blame you for going automatic if you travel in the city, it's probably hard to find enough space in traffic to get up to 3500...

No its not

[ZStig]

And no, unless ure really slipping the clutch hard, second gear is fine for lazy driving. In fact, ive taken off in 3rd gear for shits and giggles

[jophish17]

I wouldn't be surprised if most people could get up to 3500 in first in their driveway..

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by jophish17

I wouldn't be surprised if most people could get up to 3500 in first in their driveway..

I do.

[zubydafa]

i forget which top gear episode....but JC was in a vantage or db9 and did a 4th gear start with no hesitation.

[Swashplate]

I start in 2nd frequently if I am not totally stopped. It is totally fine to do so. Secondly, I drive the car like it is stolen everyday. Thirdly, I am not a jerk.

[johanness]

Originally Posted by TheBroker

I start in 2nd frequently if I am not totally stopped. It is totally fine to do so. Secondly, I drive the car like it is stolen everyday. Thirdly, I am not a jerk.

I second this!

[davesz4mc]

I only use first to launch...

I mainly drive around with only the even gears if I am being lazy 2,4,6. Not an issue if you are good with a stick shift.

[Phishman]

Originally Posted by TheBroker

I start in 2nd frequently if I am not totally stopped. It is totally fine to do so. Secondly, I drive the car like it is stolen everyday. Thirdly, I am not a jerk.

Yeah, I don't ever downshift to first unless I am totally stopped. Same as you on the other points too, I know how to drive my car just fine.

[dubsesd]

I only shift M cars at 8000 rpm. Lol

[onebluemcm]

Seems like a reasonable thread to post this observation - regarding the weirdness of the the 1-2 shift, and other jerkiness of the trans, seems to me that the more rapid the disengagement of the clutch, as in pushing the pedal to the floor rapidly, really helps to smooth the shifting out.

I've played with it a bunch, just to see what might affect the way it shifts - kicking the pedal out really fast, then re-engaging normally seems to actually make a difference in my car anyway. Would be curious to hear if anybody else finds this to be similar. I don't disengage/engage the clutch super slow or anything like that normally, I just found one day that if I really speed up the disengagement part it seemed to make shifting smoother.

If it is a real observation for other people it leads me to think there must be something weird with the syncros in this trans making what anyone would call normal clutch operation and shifting in any other car just not work great in this particular car.....of I'm full of poo..... entirely possible.....

[davesz4mc]

I have never had any issues with normal driving and shifting! Just the occasional second block when launching hard. I need to get trans mounts for this...

[Bayonet]

i sometimes start from 2nd if im really lazy....wen I do shift in first though i make sure to take it up to at least 4k. That tends to make the shift smoother for me, i just hate when im next to a ricer because 4k makes my car pretty loud and they think i just engaged a race

[ShakyDog]

I love the low-end torque on my 3.0i. I have rolled thru a right turn on to a rual highway, thinking I shifted into 3rd and been in 5th and she does not bunp or buck one bit. I have found 4th to be my gear of choice, it will go from 35 to 'I did not look down to see how fast'. :-O

Steve

[Jroc]

If the car has enough TQ to do it and you are not slipping the clutch to hard, it doesnt matter what gear you start in.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by jnkhan82

Hey,

Is it bad to drive of the light in 2nd gear verse 1st? I really hate the shift from 1 and 2, even with the CDV delete, there is still that jerk unless I slip the clutch a little. When I use the 2nd gear, its smooth shifts all the way through.

Any input? I assume the clutch will wear a little faster, but it also equals less shifts, so it might break even? duno. Anyone?

I don't do it and here's why. The most damage done to an engine is when it's LUGGING, as in there's too much difference between engine speed and actual road speed. The load of the engine in 1st gear launches vs. the load on the engine launching in 2nd is nearly doubled (1st gear multiplier is almost 2x 2nd gear). Sure, you can do it. Personally I think it will shorten the engine life and create more situations where engine pinging can occur

This isn't like an automatic where the difference in load is buffered by the torque converter so starting in 2nd leaves negligible effect on the engine's load, or in the case of diesels, there's so much torque from just off idle that it's almost impossible to lug the engine. The M52/M54/S54 that the Z4s are equipped with doesn't make THAT much torque.

[RichardTS]

Originally Posted by The HACK

I don't do it and here's why. The most damage done to an engine is when it's LUGGING, as in there's too much difference between engine speed and actual road speed. The load of the engine in 1st gear launches vs. the load on the engine launching in 2nd is nearly doubled (1st gear multiplier is almost 2x 2nd gear). Sure, you can do it. Personally I think it will shorten the engine life and create more situations where engine pinging can occur

This isn't like an automatic where the difference in load is buffered by the torque converter so starting in 2nd leaves negligible effect on the engine's load, or in the case of diesels, there's so much torque from just off idle that it's almost impossible to lug the engine. The M52/M54/S54 that the Z4s are equipped with doesn't make THAT much torque.

+1