For those of you with a 6 speed manual:

DO you think it is ok to start from a stop in 2nd gear. I find that the car starts out fine, with only slightly more clutch slippage to get a smooth start. I imagine it may relate to how many mods are done to the engine. Opinions??

 

You should be fine... I used to do that on my old 91 Accord 5-speed... 215k by the time I got rid of it and it still had the original clutch.

 

Used to start out in 2nd gear in my other cars. No problems.

Joshua

 

I do the same thing. Especially if I'm facing downhill at a stop light/sign. I find the 1st gear a bit too short.

 

You can without issues, the VQ35 has more than enough torque to not make it a big deal. Slightly more clutch wear will result, as you are slipping it more from a stop.

I guess the question is, why would you start off in second versus first?

 

I do it in the winter time, saves my tires and gives you more control. Hell, I've started out in 3rd before, because the tires would just spin unless it was at such a low rpm it would buck.

 

on everyones feed-back

 

Ok, it seems to be the general consensus that its ok to do. It does seem like it would slightly wear the clutch but not that much. It certainly makes stop and go traffic easier to deal with. I have even shifted from 2nd to 4th to 6th with no problem.

 

ahhh god bless california and stop and go traFFIc..

haha'

ya you will be just fine no worries

 

I do it all the time, especially if I'm: starting downhill, planning to accelerate slowly b/c of weather, not totally stopped, only want to use one gear to get to 60mph, etc. Just give it around 1500 rpm or so to start and feather the clutch and it's all good. First gear is really just an optional "momentum" gear in order to get to second unless in a racing situation IMHO ;> Really, I guess I mostly use first gear when I want to crawl in traffic or accelerate at a spirited pace. Also, I will be doing my own clutch work and don't really mind the very little bit of extra wear that may occur.

Pat

 

I always put it on first if I am at a complete stop. I think that is how it should be if you dont want to replace your cluch. I never just started driving on 2nd. Maxima's have enough power that if you know when to let go off the cluch they wont stall even if you start in higher gear. I dont think you should drive on 2nd from a complete stop unless if you have money and you dont mind a $2000 cluch.

 

This is why a manual trannie is so much better than an auto trannie (or, IMHO, a CVT trannie):
You can choose any gear ratio that is appropriate, at any time.

I start in second in the following situations:
- starting up on a slight down-hill road.
- starting up in snow or on ice (may even use 3rd gear for these starting situations).
- rolling to a stop at about 2 to 4 mph and the light changes.
(When I'm rolling above about 5 mph, I use 3rd gear).

I too question why you would always want to start in 2nd gear. But there are times when it works well and should be used.

I disagree that in the Max "the 1st gear a bit too short." IMHO, it is actually a bit too high for a first gear. Because of this, I -- on occasion -- will stall the engine because I don't like to provide enought gas on start-up in 1st gear. Like others replying above, I too worry about clutch wear, which is why I don't give the engine enough gas on starting.