What is the method for starting in second gear with a manual transmission?
3 Answers
First, after getting in the car, you need to press the brake pedal and confirm that the transmission is in neutral. Then, after turning the key to start the engine, press the clutch pedal with your left foot and release the handbrake lever with your right hand. Shift the transmission into first gear and prepare to start. While slowly releasing the clutch pedal with your left foot, move your right foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and gently press the accelerator, coordinating with the movement of the left foot on the clutch. Once the vehicle starts stably, remove your left foot from the clutch pedal and press the accelerator with your right foot as needed to accelerate the vehicle.
I've been driving manual for almost ten years, and the key to starting in second gear lies in the coordination of the throttle and clutch. First, press the clutch all the way down and shift into second gear, then lightly press the accelerator with your right foot to bring the RPM to around 1500. Slowly release the clutch with your left foot—don't rush—and pause when you feel the car slightly shudder. At this point, continue to gently press the accelerator with your right foot while slowly releasing the remaining clutch with your left foot. It's like walking on eggshells—smooth and steady. Once you've successfully started, don't accelerate immediately; let the car move under power for a few meters before shifting to third gear. This technique works well in snow or mud, but doing it regularly can seriously wear out the clutch plates.
Our rally team often starts in second gear, especially on gravel roads. Here's a counterintuitive tip: don't use first gear! Second gear's smoother power delivery actually prevents wheelspin. Rev hard to 2500 rpm, then release the clutch to the biting point—you'll understand once the rear wheels dig into the gravel. But last time I got lazy and tried a second-gear start on a ramp, the clutch disc started smoking, and the coach yelled so loud my ears hurt. Beginners should never attempt this on flat ground.
