Does Starting in Second Gear Really Damage the Car?

[DiBryce]

Starting in second gear can indeed damage the car. Although starting in second gear allows for a quicker take-off by reducing the process of releasing the throttle and shifting gears once, and enables deeper throttle application after starting to quickly shift to higher gears, it causes severe wear on the clutch and increases fuel consumption. Over time, insufficient power can lead to increased carbon deposits and abnormal engine operation. Severe wear on the clutch plate: Second gear does not provide the maximum torque, yet starting requires significant torque to avoid stalling. To prevent stalling, it is necessary to increase the throttle and raise the engine speed while the clutch is partially engaged. In this semi-engaged state, the clutch plate experiences the most severe wear, and with increased throttle, abnormal wear occurs, significantly reducing the lifespan of the clutch plate. Increased fuel consumption: Continuously increasing the throttle while the clutch is partially engaged results in much of the fuel simply causing the engine to idle without contributing to forward motion. While the additional fuel consumption may not be noticeable in one or two instances, prolonged starting in second gear will lead to a noticeable increase in fuel consumption per 100 kilometers. Higher risk of stalling and carbon deposits: If the throttle is not sufficiently increased during take-off, it can result in insufficient power, even causing the engine to stall. Stalling adds another ignition process, and even if the engine does not stall, struggling to start due to insufficient power can lead to incomplete combustion, resulting in carbon deposits. In severe cases, this can cause engine knocking, abnormal noises, and abnormal wear on the pistons and cylinders. Therefore, it is recommended to use first gear for normal starts, as it provides the maximum torque, making it the most suitable for smooth take-offs. This not only saves fuel but also prevents damage to the car.