[The Kraken]

Just got a 2014 Phantom Black SRT 6M, the only one on the planet left, and am thrilled with it, cuz the '15's are man hairy butt crack ugly. That's just me though. Only 3weeks old. Traded my 2011 Toxic Orange RTC for it. Anyway, I noticed right off the bat that the gearing in it sure is close ratio. My question is, the car seems to respond just fine starting off in second gear rather than first. Wanted to know what the consenses was regarding which gear you start off in.
See ya out there, wave when ya go by! :grin2:

 

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!]

Welcome to the SRT world!

Me personally, I never start off in second gear. There is nothing wrong with it -- but, it will cause premature wear on the clutch due to slipping the clutch more to start off in second gear.

 

[The Kraken]

Thanks WTF, I will correct my bad habit immediately!!

 

[RYGLaunch]

Most of the time I run through all the gears up to cruising speed usually about 75, however I find that some driving is more efficient if I go 1st, 3rd, 5th skipping 2nd and 4th. Usually that is in town and not freeway. :alf:

 

[Pmanager41]

I love the 6m and the close ratio, to become one with the car is priceless.

 

[The Kraken]

I love the 6m and the close ratio, to become one with the car is priceless.

I to love the 6M, that's why I traded. I hated the A5 and MDS with a passion. Just want to make sure I was not doing damage to the new car. I told the wife this was my last car before I reach my retirement years. We have a ten thousand dollar bet on it!! :surprise: So I need to keep this one in good condition. Thanks for the replays everyone!!

 

[nuowner]

Just got a 2014 Phantom Black SRT 6M, the only one on the planet left, and am thrilled with it, cuz the '15's are man hairy butt crack ugly. That's just me though. Only 3weeks old. Traded my 2011 Toxic Orange RTC for it. Anyway, I noticed right off the bat that the gearing in it sure is close ratio. My question is, the car seems to respond just fine starting off in second gear rather than first. Wanted to know what the consenses was regarding which gear you start off in.
See ya out there, wave when ya go by! :grin2:

I finally just quit using 1st gear in my '12 Mustang unless I was on a really steep incline.

 

[Slidd]

The SRT gear box is the wide ratio with 2.97 low gear....the Hellcat box is close ratio with a 2.26 low.

 

[TJR1952]

First i installed the Barton shifter. My shifts are 1st to 3rd when standing still. When moving slow , like a turn , 2nd to 4th. This seems to work very well.

 

[Yellow Jacket 2012]

Always use first gear from a dead stop unless you like buying expensive parts prematurely.

 

[The Kraken]

Always use first gear from a dead stop unless you like buying expensive parts prematurely.

Done.

 

[hawkgfr]

On level ground there is nothing wrong with a slow relaxed start in second...No more wear and tear than first. You don't even have to gas it...Now if your trying to start quick I wouldn't do it in second.


imo as usual...

 

[Yellow Jacket 2012]

On level ground there is nothing wrong with a slow relaxed start in second...No more wear and tear than first. You don't even have to gas it...Now if your trying to start quick I wouldn't do it in second.


imo as usual...

What does someone gain by doing this? If rowing through the gears is a chore then why buy a manual trans?
Doing it as a habit WILL shave life off the clutch.

 

[~jeff~]

Take advantage of every gear, 2nd gear starts are for downhill only!!

 

[mr.white]

I always start in first, but do skip gears intentionally, 1to3 or 2to4 or 3to5...except for the damn 1 to 4 dumbass idea. Only happened twice and that was it, Speedlogix' skipshift eliminator plug on the way!

 

[BlackHemi41]

I only start off in second when I'm at an icy intersection. Otherwise I hate the boggy moan on the engine and having to ride the clutch more than necessary.

 

[bwbike]

A second gear start is not going to hurt anything unless you try to pull out aggressively. These cars can practically start in second gear without giving it any gas at all.

I occasionally skip a gear, but like to shift so usually hit them all. I do start in second once in a while if I'm on level ground (or down hill) and don't need to accelerate briskly.

Just one hard launch (like a fast 0 to 60 run) in first gear will wear the clutch more than dozens of very easy starts in second.
.

 

[mikerob]

What does someone gain by doing this? If rowing through the gears is a chore then why buy a manual trans?
Doing it as a habit WILL shave life off the clutch.

THIS!! When I find myself not wanting to shift each gear i'll be in a automatic. Also I've never been in a manual car and not have to slip the clutch more if starting off in a higher gear. If the clutch is not fully up are down there is friction and wear on the clutch no matter how insignificant it might be. This is manual 101. Don't spend more time on the clutch than needed.

 

[wasp392]

Don't spend more time on the clutch than needed.

I've been driving manual cars for 25 years and this is the golden rule.



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[Slidd]

Re: starting in 2nd gear....in the Hellcat with its road course gearing and 3.70 axle, starting off in 1st is just about like starting off in 2nd in everything else...

2.26 x 3.70 = 8.36 overall low- Hellcat
2.10 x 3.92 = 8.23 overall low - all w/ 20's

The clutch is a little stiffer on the Hellcat and a little bigger, 258mm vs 240mm, and guess the Hellcat torque helps...over 400 lb-ft at 1200 rpm.

I'll start in 2nd on a downhill but on flat ground not usually.