Whats up with taking off in 2nd gear...does it cause undue stress on the engine?

I'm not a genius, but making the engine lug (too much load at too low an rpm) will make it ping and knock, etc. However, it reduces the amount of torque put out to the wheels, so if you're in snow, it can help. I've done it before in my old, original 'box' (the toyota van) and it's great.

Otherwise, I dunno. Start in first. There's a reason there's a first gear on your car? :)

It doesn't lug the engine if your revs are high enough when you dump the clutch.

As long as you don't hear pinging or lugging, I doubt you will break anything, but think of it this way, driving in too high a gear is sort of like standing on your bike pedals to get up a hill instead of downshifting. You know how the cranks will creak and moan a little and you can tell you are really torquing the chain when you do that? That's what you're doing to your connecting rods and crank and driveline when you lug the engine hard.

With the TRAC there is really no reason ever to start off one of these cars in 2nd gear, the traction control will take care of wheelspin if it occurs, so its kind of a moot question...

its not gonna hurt your car, gonna wear your clutch as you will have to slip it quite a bit. but why would u need to do this anyways

i don't plan on doing it.

i'm just trying to understamd the workings of my car more.

thanks

The only time I would just use 2nd is from a rolling start. Anything else, just start off in 1st gear.

Starting in 2nd will just wear your clutch much faster and also possibly cause more wear on the motor since the rpms are so low.

Most of the time, I find if I do a hard launch in 5th, and slam it into reverse after crossing the train tracks (finish line) it usually comes out pretty good. But then again, I live my life a quarter mile at a time.

its all given the situation, i mean i dont always start in first if im coming down hill. first is only to get ur car moving. also when i roll to a stop and the light changes or soemthing i still have enough momentum to keep going in second