6MT - Pulling away in 2nd

[booforty]

Because 1st gear is so powerful, I sometimes find it easier and smoother to pull away from a standstill in 2nd gear instead. Are there any issues with doing this and will it cause extra stress on the clutch?

Would welcome any thoughts and views

[J08M3]

nope

[booforty]

So its completely fine to pull away in 2nd? So long as I don't use lots of revs as I did it the other day and burned the clutch a little - whoops!

[Hotan Braskey]

As long as you are not bogging down the engine, everything should be fine.

[mkoesel]

Sure you can do it, but the car is really only as powerful as you want it to be. In fact, have you tried engaging first gear with no gas applied at all? It will work fine. So, just go easier on the pedal and you won't really need to use second to take off. Also, if you are in sport mode or sport plus mode, try the next lower mode too as it will allow you to modulate the accelerator easier.

[booforty]

Cool. Its just because I burned the clutch a bit the other day, I was worried that maybe using 2nd and a few revs was a bad move. I'm happy to use 1st instead its just a bit more lively (which isn't a bad thing!)

[sg///M3]

Just for comparison, the M-DCT transmission will start in 2nd gear in the lower automatic settings.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by booforty

Cool. Its just because I burned the clutch a bit the other day, I was worried that maybe using 2nd and a few revs was a bad move. I'm happy to use 1st instead its just a bit more lively (which isn't a bad thing!)

Ok, well "burning the clutch" is bad no matter what. You are slipping the clutch too much it sounds like. Even in second, it should be possible to launch the car with little or no throttle and very little clutch slippage. Practice it, you'll get the hang of it.

[booforty]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Ok, well "burning the clutch" is bad no matter what. You are slipping the clutch too much it sounds like. Even in second, it should be possible to launch the car with little or no throttle and very little clutch slippage. Practice it, you'll get the hang of it.

Cool thanks! Anyone else pull away in 2nd on a regular basis?

[southlight]

Originally Posted by booforty

Cool thanks! Anyone else pull away in 2nd on a regular basis?

Not on a regular basis but every now and then, yes.


Best regards, south

[bmstyle71]

yeah even SMG II started from 2nd on a stand still in lower auto mode.

[King Tut]

I will disagree with everyone and say it is a bad idea. In order to get the car launched in second without stalling you will definitely need more RPM or more clutch slipping both of which will damage your clutch quicker. The car doesn't make much torque or horsepower at 1500 RPM, so you should be able to take off in 1st gear with no problem. I suggest you work on your clutch skills and take off in 1st not 2nd.

[Doc]

Its not a good idea unless you are rolling downhill - the clutch is taking extra strain and will wear out faster. Rather use first with small throttle opening.

[sayemthree]

dont spin the clutch too much. I only do this from a slight roll or a slight downhill.

[1ne]

I also have never pull away in 2nd gear from a standstill

[synclastica_86]

Don't worry, it's completely fine. I start in 2nd all the time in slippery conditions to avoid wheel spin.

[ponch_ki]

hmmmm yeah, sometimes i pull up using 2nd gear, and this thread makes me think about it, any more insights or views about this topic?

[booforty]

Good answers everyone and its interesting to hear the differing views

[lucid]

There is no issue with this as long as you aren't trying to load the engine significantly. In other words, if you are stopped on a flat road and want to pull away "normally", 2nd gear would be fine. That should not cause more clutch slippage as long as you don't over-rev (the clutch will fully engage as you get going at a lower engine rpm in second gear compared to 1st due to the gearing difference). Once the clutch is engaged, and if your clutch is functioning properly, it doesn't matter if you are in 1st or 2nd.

[King Tut]

Seriously if you guys can't keep wheel spin in check when starting in first gear in the rain then perhaps you need to go back to a 325i and never ever take off traction control for the safety of the other drivers on the road. You should be able to get your car to start off in first gear with no input from the accelerator just from the idle RPM now try that in second gear and let me know if you can do it. You need more RPM to keep the car from stalling when starting off in second gear.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Seriously if you guys can't keep wheel spin in check when starting in first gear in the rain then perhaps you need to go back to a 325i and never ever take off traction control for the safety of the other drivers on the road. You should be able to get your car to start off in first gear with no input from the accelerator just from the idle RPM now try that in second gear and let me know if you can do it. You need more RPM to keep the car from stalling when starting off in second gear.

I don't know about why OP is having problems with moving off the line in 1st gear. He should probably work on that...That said, sometimes, when I don't have a need to accelerate quickly and am feeling lazy in traffic, I will leave it in second. If you are not trying to pull away fast, you don't need more rpms or anything.

[GT3 Tim]

It is fine to start in 2nd...just do NOT slip the clutch too much. Clutches wear when they SLIP...so just don't slip it too much! Higher rpm and mucho slip = mucho wear. Simple as that.