Is starting in 2nd gear bad for the car? I know that the torque band is pretty wide so i know that the car will go for sure (i've started in 2nd a few times). I recently got my '04 TSX 6-speed and the 1st to 2nd is really hard like alot of people are saying, but no one's really talked about starting in 2nd, i dont think...

I find it alot smoother and even faster, i guess, if u give it enough gas. So i just wanted to know from more experienced drivers if starting in 2nd is bad for your car.

Thanks

 

more wear on the clutch

 

Agreed.

 

would it be significant wear...? I dont do this up hills or anything, and in parking lots or in times when i dont need to accelerate with traffic, i use 1st.

 

It will add up. The TSX's clutch does not have the reputation of a long lasting clutch.

We just had one member here in Australia wear out his clutch in just 5600 miles because he was slipping his clutch to hold the car uphill and also slipping the clutch when downshifting to slow down instead of blipping the throttle.

 

I find that starting in 2nd gear from a stop requires more clutch slippage than I'm comfortable with... However it's alright if you're already creeping and you just let the clutch out at idle.

And like others have said, don't use the clutch to balance the car on a hill.

Also remember that anytime the clutch pedal is in, microscopic wear is occurring--therefore if you're at a traffic light it is best to put the car in neutral and release the clutch pedal instead of waiting there with the pedal in.