How many of you guys have ever started from a stop in 2nd? Just curious since I did this a few times when I was practicing starting off on snow. Is this bad for the car?

 

no snow in florida so i can't compare stories here or back you up,
but i've tried starting off in 2nd and the care didn't respond much... but great sound came from the engine... or exhaust?

but i can't really tell you if it's bad or not...
don't think it really is.
but wait a bit, some experts will give you GREAT advise and tell you more than you need to know about starting off or NOT starting off in 2nd

 

I've often found myself starting out in 2nd, though it's rarely from a complete stop, I'm usually at least rolling a bit. I picked up the habit in my '92 Prelude - pausing at an intersection where I'm tuning, keeping it in 2nd feels just fine in that car, unless I'm going for acceleration. In the S2000 it doesn't seem as easy. I'm trying to get into the habit of downshifting all the way to 1st so I can start off better.

I can't imagine it doing any damage, but I'm no expert.

JonasM

 

In the situation you describe (slippery surface) starting out in 2nd won't harm the car and in fact, may be a better way to do it so you don't transfer too much torque to the snow and ice. Doing it on a flat, dry, hot surface requires a bit of finesse (clutch-throttle control) so you don't fry your clutch or break something. If done properly, is should be no more harsh on the car than moving off on a steep grade in 1st. If you try a too aggressive a standing start in 2nd, prepare to get your cheque book out sooner than you'd like.
Motorcycle instructors will occassion teach the 2nd gear standing start for students who have a very hard time with learning a manual transmission. This technique "demands" clutch/throttle control and once the student gets the hang of this, 1st gear starts then become "a piece of cake".

 

I only did this a couple times on snow and ice and it started fine since the lack of grip. I don't plan on doing it on dry roads. Ah so many things to learn about MT, hopefully a true F1 style transmission comes to honda like what BMW has

 

Did it by accident one time, but the car protested so little, I didn't realize until well into 3rd. The Mugen ecu helps with torque so much at lower rpms, that there was no problem.