francypants Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I learned over 30 years ago. Setting off on flat or uphill is 1st, but downhill it's ok to set off in 1st or 2nd. I too prefer manual to automatic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithy266 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Depends on what you are driving. For instance, my old Landie is quite happy setting off in second. My sports car, much higher geared, will do a second gear start, but happier in first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 If I want to go backwards, I usually start in reverse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcol Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I learned over 30 years ago. Setting off on flat or uphill is 1st, but downhill it's ok to set off in 1st or 2nd. I too prefer manual to automatic. ^This - although only 25 years since I learned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entrepupil Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I think it can depend on the vehicle, also. If it's designed to carry a heavy load and is empty then second may be ok. Also if you're already creeping then first may not be necessary. However, some one made a valid point earlier about it being named first for a reason and the ratios are set as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Joker Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 my next car will have launch control. Switch to Race mode, turn Traction Control off, mash the throttle with the right foot, release the foobrake with the left foot. . . and a nice, gentle start from the traffic lights, Constable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Shaw Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I learned over 30 years ago. Setting off on flat or uphill is 1st, but downhill it's ok to set off in 1st or 2nd. I too prefer manual to automatic. Yes, to both; why annoy the transmission by trying to drive-off in second gear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Arthur Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 One of my cars selects 2nd itself on auto but it's a bit more powerful than most. 2nd in manual is no problem for most modern cars with a bit of torque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harleyman Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Me too,i think a manual is much better for tackling all the hills round Sheffield.What I hated about an automatic was that it was forever kicking up and down.America is perfect for an automatic with long straight flat roads but not round here. There are plenty of mountains in my neck of the woods and high ones too. On the auto transmission my 2015 Honda Accord is equipped with there is S Drive which stops kicking up and down when going up hills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc55 Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 my Citroen would pull away in 2nd, which sometimes I would find useful in snow (it would even start in 3rd as I discovered accidentally one day ) My Passat stalls at the slightest suggestion that I might be contemplating not setting off in first - it also objects to a 2nd gear choice when setting off facing downhill. It is fine going from 4th to 6th or 3rd to 5th when I'm moving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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