What are the consequences of starting a car directly in third gear?
2 Answers
Starting a car in third gear is theoretically possible, but the likelihood of stalling is quite high, making it practically very difficult. Essentially, only drivers unfamiliar with cars would attempt to start in third gear, as starting requires more precise coordination between the clutch, throttle, and brake. Often, the car stalls before the clutch even reaches the semi-engagement point. Additional information: Starting a manual transmission car in third gear causes significant wear on the clutch plates. The semi-engagement phase lasts longer, and the semi-clutch point is harder to find. Starting in third gear can easily lead to lugging, which is highly detrimental and should be avoided. During startup, the engine's RPM drops suddenly, causing the engine to sputter and nearly stall—a severe lugging condition that is very harmful to the engine.
I've been driving manual for over a decade, and this approach is absolutely wrong! The gear ratio in third gear is too small, the engine simply can't handle it. Like last time when my apprentice tried this during driving lessons, the car immediately started shaking violently like having spasms, made a 'thud' sound and stalled, the whole vehicle lurched forward abruptly, scaring the car behind into honking frantically. The worst damage was to the clutch plates - they were grinding harshly with burnt smell wafting out. When we opened it up later, they'd turned blue from overheating, the mechanic kept cursing about reckless waste. Normal starts are like riding a bicycle - first gear is equivalent to pedaling slowly with your feet, but trying to directly stand up and stomp the pedals in third gear? No wonder you'll faceplant!
