Manual, start in 1st or 2nd gear?

[Bailman]

Both the 5 and 6 speed that I drove had very short 1st gears, I found it better to start out in 2nd. How do you guys drive um'? Maybe it is just me being used to driving gas sports cars. Thanks again for the help-

 

[DEZLPWR]

I start in 2nd....

Although, I have heard that do this can wear out your clutch sooner. I'm not sure if this is true or not... .

 

[GDouglas]

I drive my 5 speed all the time taking off in 2nd. If I am starting off up a significant hill or I am pulling a decent load, then I will use 1st. Otherwise on flat ground I just take off in 2nd even with my boat (2,000 lb) behind me. But at the boat ramp, I use 1st all the way up and just basically idle up out of the water.



1 st gear is somewhere around a 6 to 1 ratio with 2nd being somewhere around 3 to 1. Most automatics run somwhere around a 2. 8 or 2. 6 to 1 ratio for their 1st gear. Really there is no more clutch slippage taking off in 2nd on our trucks as compared to the amount of slippage it takes for a gasser car or truck to take off in their 1st ratios.

 

[Barry]

Unless I am starting uphill, I use 3rd, 5th and 6th.

 

[ftb87]

I also take off in 2nd gear, unless their is a hill/incline.





Frank

 

[Okie-Go]

Barry is telling the truth. I even did it once in his truck. Took off real easy with no strain or jerking. I usually use 2nd and 1st compound or granny as it is called if I am loaded or starting up a hill. Sometimes I even take off in 1st just for the fun of it.

 

[Boondocker]

2nd gear starts

Check your owner's manual. I beleive it recommends 2nd gear for unloaded starts. I normally start in 2nd and try not to feather the clutch at all in any gear.

 

[badinfluence]

2nd gear

I use 2nd gear most of the time, 1st gear when loaded or on soft ground. Have used 3rd but very seldom.

 

[Deezul1]

Same here, 1st on a hill, 2nd the rest of the time.

 

[klenger]

I think the owner's manual states that 2nd gear starts when empty are normal procedure. If you can pull 20,000 in 1st, 7000 in 2nd shouldn't be a problem.

 

[lightmup]

Since I've owned the truck I have started in 2nd, unless on a hill or have a load behind then I start in 1st.