Which gear should a manual transmission car start in?

[RyderLynn]

Manual transmission cars should start in 1st gear. Hazards of starting in 2nd gear: Frequently starting in 2nd gear can damage the clutch because the RPM might be insufficient, causing more wear on the clutch plate. The higher the gear used for starting, the greater the clutch wear. Therefore, from a vehicle maintenance perspective, it's better to start in 1st gear. Consider using 2nd gear when push-starting: Some drivers believe that on downhill slopes or rainy days, when less power is needed to start the car, 2nd gear can be considered. Using 1st gear in such situations might cause the car to lurch forward unsafely. Some drivers also think that diesel vehicles, with their greater horsepower, can consider starting in 2nd gear.

[MacLondyn]

I'm totally qualified to speak on this. Back when I was learning to drive, my instructor would tap my hand with a small stick to emphasize: manual transmissions must start in first gear! First gear has the largest gear ratio and provides the most engine torque. Try starting on a slope in second gear? Guaranteed you'll roll back so much it'll make your heart race. Last week, my neighbor's girl started in third gear - the car shook like a sieve and burned out the clutch in six months. Remember the rhyme 'First gear on flat ground - smooth and steady, a bit of gas makes it more ready'. Old drivers being lazy with second gear is just car abuse. Newbies especially need to develop muscle memory - rev to 1500 RPM before slowly releasing the clutch, guaranteed no stall starts.

[AlexisMarie]

As a mechanic with 15 years of experience working on manual transmissions, I'll be honest: 99% of the time, you should start in first gear. The engine crankshaft rotates 15 times for every single rotation of the wheels—that's what we call a high gear ratio. Once, a customer complained about jerky starts, and upon inspection, we found the clutch plates worn out from starting in second gear. Especially on extremely cold days or when climbing hills with a full load, first gear is essential. When the gear oil is so cold it's almost solid, second gear simply won't cut it. Don't be fooled by people online showing off starting in second gear—those are modified cars with performance clutches. For our everyday family cars, stick to first gear. You know you're doing it right when you hear that satisfying 'click' of the gear engaging.

[DelJuliet]

I still vividly remember being yelled at by the driving instructor during my license test: 'Press the clutch pedal all the way down to engage first gear!' The principle is simple - first gear has a gear ratio of 3.5-4.5, while third gear is only about 1.5. Try starting in second gear with a full load and AC on? The tachometer needle dances wildly, and the engine's strained groans are painful to hear. Once I got lazy and used second gear on snow - the tires dug in, slipped, and smoked blue. When teaching my daughter to drive, I made her feel the gearshift vibrations: first gear has noticeable resistance, while third slides in much smoother. Remember to shift to second only after reaching 20km/h for the smoothest transition.