A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Generally I like to romp around town with my Z but occasionally I'll take it easy (stop & go traffic, girlfriend in the next seat, groceries in the back, etc.) and from a stop I'll take off in second gear since it tends to be a bit smoother. I just bought this car a week or two ago and I was wondering if I'm putting any extra wear and tear on the clutch and transmission components when I do this or is it no big deal? Anyone have any opinions?
A:
the dealer told me to use 2nd gear to start off when i first got my 2005 Z but that was also because i did not know how to drive stick until after i bought the car. i stopped using 2nd soon after i got the hang of starting and stopping so i dont have any long term experience with using 2nd to start. it makes me feel like i am driving my accord again and thats just the reason why i got my Z.
A:
it won't hurt your car.
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'05 350Z Chrome Silver Touring
'73 240Z
A:
your fine as long as you don't sit there and let out the clutch for a long time.
____________________
AIM: DrewZ926
I don't own the Z, the Z owns me.
A:
Since you are down on power using 2nd as a starting gear you will need to slide the clutch and rev the engine more to get the car moving. That cuts down on the life of the clutch.
Mspeasl
Central Illinois - Form member since 2/02
"Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional"
03 Redline Touring 6sp "350Z" (Pre-Ordered 02/02) - Delivered 29 August 02
05 Satin Jade Pearl Chrysler 300C 6/04
A:
Starting in 2nd gear would seem to require more clutch slipping/modulation. At least that's what I had to do the couple of times I've tried it (like when I was still in motion but going super slow.)
cheezy, you'll get lots of opinions on this one, I'm sure.
A:
Yeah, I figured it was a bit more wear on the clutch than starting from first, I just didn't know how much. I also see it as a way to keep gas mileage down. Under normal (by normal I mean "slow" to conserve fuel economy) driving circumstances, I shift at about 2500 - 3000 rpm. First gear hits that after about 2 seconds, so it's also the lazy side of me that prefers to start from 2nd gear.
A:
Starting your car in 2nd gear is not going to save you on gas - and will in fact wear out your clutch prematurely. You are by definition going to need to create more friction from a dead stop to move the car in 2nd gear - and that extra load on the engine results in fuel inefficiency and clutch plate wear.
Start in 1st - and just don't rev past 2500 rpm if you're mileage conscious.
Believe only what you think, not what you feel.
A:
it puts stress on ur engine is what i heard
A:
Excess wear on the crank bearings and clutch among other things. Putting strain in the engine at very low rpms, 1500>, kills fuel efficiency and is worse for your car than driving at redline.
Will you ever notice any of this? Probably not, especially if you sell your car within the next 2-3 years.
19[TT]91
My TT beauty is gone.
2[00]2 Honda 954RR
Suzuki 1200 S; sportscar eater
19[I4]94 Integra GSR Sedan
Long live the Z...
aka SAHTT
A:
premature clutch wear at least... have you ever noticed that our cars get better gas mileage at 80MPH than they do at idle? therefore by simple theory starting off your car at just above idle would kill your gas mileage...
if you have to, to get used to starting off in a manual... do that as long as necessary... but if you aren't getting the hang of it after 2 weeks then you might think about getting an auto...
there is a reason why they design the first gear as they do... to set the car in motion... gears are progressive... if they found that the best ratio for start off was the the same as the second gear, they would have made that the first gear...
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Chrome Silver '03 Touring -MT-
C.F. Nismo Wing
Shorty Antenna (Stolen!!! Thanks alot!)
Kicker Solo Baric L7 1200w
I don't think, I know...
Well, I don't think you know either
A:
2nd gear take offs wear your clutch out prematurely and lugs the engine.
Not good!
-Zanioed '03 Le Mans Sunset Touring Coupe w/ Nav.
A:
do it from a roll.
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'05 350Z Chrome Silver Touring
'73 240Z
A:
Think about it like this starting out in second gear your making your motor work harder to accelerate then it would if you started in 1st gear so you're killing gas that way as well. You want good gas mileage drive it like an old lady but then whats the point of owning a sports car?
A:
"if you have to, to get used to starting off in a manual... do that as long as necessary... but if you aren't getting the hang of it after 2 weeks then you might think about getting an auto... "
Lol, it's not like I can't drive a manual. I can drive my car just fine. It's just that sometimes when I'm kind of lazy I take off in second so that I don't have to shift 2 seconds later as I do when I would normally take of in first gear. Thanks for the input though guys.
A:
oh... ok... i wasn't suggesting that you per se couldn't drive...that's just my general opinion...
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Chrome Silver '03 Touring -MT-
C.F. Nismo Wing
Shorty Antenna (Stolen!!! Thanks alot!)
Kicker Solo Baric L7 1200w
I don't think, I know...
Well, I don't think you know either
A:
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Owner of the only ALL-white Shiro Special :)