First gear is usually preferred during the start-up phase of a manual transmission car, and although the use of second gear can increase the starting speed of the vehicle, its long-standing drawbacks can cause extremely severe wear and tear on the car's clutch. Under this premise, we strongly recommend that all manual transmission owners try to avoid using the strategy of starting in second gear.
First of all, the many advantages of starting in first gear should not be overlooked, such as the ability to provide sufficient traction power and climbing performance to ensure the stability of the car during the first start. Secondly, the throttle and clutch coordination required to start in first gear is more straightforward and simple, eliminating the need for frequent gear changes, which to some extent reduces the need for driving skills.
In contrast, if you choose second gear to start, although it can significantly increase the initial driving speed of the vehicle, it will also cause an increase in the torque of the vehicle, which will lead to an increase in the inertia of the vehicle in the early stage of starting, and it is more likely to start skidding or reversing, bringing more safety hazards to the driver. In addition, in the process of starting from second gear, it is necessary to repeatedly change gears, which requires relatively high driving skills, which can easily stimulate the driver's fatigue and even lead to traffic accidents.
Therefore, starting in second gear is not the best choice for a manual transmission car. In contrast, it is advisable to use first gear as the starting gear, while focusing on timing the shift and improving the clutch pedaling technique, which will not only help protect the vehicle from damage, but also ensure safety and comfort during the journey. Of course, if you encounter special road conditions such as snow and muddy roads, it seems to be a good idea to start in second gear.
Finally, we would like to remind those who are new to the field of manual transmission cars that they should give priority to first gear at the beginning and gradually familiarize themselves with the various gears and their switching speeds in practice, so as to ensure safety and comfort during driving.