Starting in 3rd gear!!!

j1979p

Started in 3rd gear accidentally today! Got it rolling alright in traffic before stopping again. If it was a normal start with no traffic I would have definitely stalled it but I was going slow anyway. Didn't notice until it was already rolling and the engine sounded a bit low .
No that's what I call clutch control. Anybody else ever do this, deliberately or accidentally? Any higher gears?:eek:

LadyE

j1979p wrote: »

Started in 3rd gear accidentally today! Got it rolling alright in traffic before stopping again. If it was a normal start with no traffic I would have definitely stalled it but I was going slow anyway. Didn't notice until it was already rolling and the engine sounded a bit low .
No that's what I call clutch control. Anybody else ever do this, deliberately or accidentally? Any higher gears?:eek:

My aunt - who is still on a provisonal after driving every day for 5 years..often starts in fifth..how, I dont know...bad bad driver.

She nearly goes thru the windscreen every time :rolleyes:

LuckyStar

I often go into 5th instead of 3rd while driving, it's usually obvious because the car goes really sluggish. I switch down to 3rd and off we go!

redcar

j1979p wrote: »

Started in 3rd gear accidentally today! Got it rolling alright in traffic before stopping again. If it was a normal start with no traffic I would have definitely stalled it but I was going slow anyway. Didn't notice until it was already rolling and the engine sounded a bit low .
No that's what I call clutch control. Anybody else ever do this, deliberately or accidentally? Any higher gears?:eek:

I actually did that today, left my house was thinking the car feels a bit off.... then stopped to ring someone at the end of my estate, realised I was in 3rd.

stepbar

j1979p wrote: »

Started in 3rd gear accidentally today! Got it rolling alright in traffic before stopping again. If it was a normal start with no traffic I would have definitely stalled it but I was going slow anyway. Didn't notice until it was already rolling and the engine sounded a bit low .
No that's what I call clutch control. Anybody else ever do this, deliberately or accidentally? Any higher gears?:eek:

It can happen easy enough, especially if you're are like me and tend to stop in 3rd forgetting to engage 1st when you take off.

Wishbone Ash

j1979p wrote: »

Started in 3rd gear accidentally today! Got it rolling alright in traffic before stopping again. If it was a normal start with no traffic I would have definitely stalled it but I was going slow anyway. Didn't notice until it was already rolling and the engine sounded a bit low .
No that's what I call clutch control. Anybody else ever do this, deliberately or accidentally? Any higher gears?:eek:

I would select 3rd gear for moving off in snow or very frosty conditions.

Vehicles with huge torque, e.g tractors, can go in almost any gear. In Top Gear, a few years ago, Clarkson demonstrated the torque of an Aston Martin (DB9?) by starting in 4th and accelerating all the way up to 140mph in the same gear.

tolosenc

Ever shift from 4th to 1st by accident? Dude...

Cookie_Monster

Used to start in third every so often, forget to change down at lights, and generally always got away with it.

Even managed to start in forth once though it wasn't pretty and i changed down fairly quick.

Cookie_Monster

obl wrote: »

Ever shift from 4th to 1st by accident? Dude...

Not quite, 5th to 2nd at about 70kph though. Was an experiance I never hope to repeat!

j1979p

obl wrote: »

Ever shift from 4th to 1st by accident? Dude...

I would have thought that would be common enough considering all the people who downshift from 4th to 3rd. 1st is not too far from 3rd!!!
Having said that, never happened to me. Although it was bad enough going from 2nd to 1st when I was learning and thought that 7km/h was too slow for 2nd

rain on

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Not quite, 5th to 2nd at about 70kph though. Wass an experiance I never hope to repeat!

Yep I've done that as well, at about 55mph. Had music on really loudly as well so I didn't hear the racket the engine was making for a few seconds. Fun times.

Holsten

obl wrote: »

Ever shift from 4th to 1st by accident? Dude...

That's possible? My car won't let you put it into 1st if it's moving.

tolosenc

Holsten wrote: »

That's possible? My car won't let you put it into 1st if it's moving.

Not all of us have cars with on-board computers/technology from post-1976...

Fiach Dubh

During one of my early lessons I stopped at a red light in 4th gear. I was nattering away to my instructor and when the light went green I drove on having forgot to go back into first, Doh

LuckyStar

Ah, nothing like the shakes to wake you up on a Monday morning!!!

eth0_

Good thing there was no pedestrian in front of you at the time, the car could have jolted forwards and hit them. Always check if you've left the car in gear/what gear you are in!

Hagar

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Used to start in third every so often, forget to change down at lights, and generally always got away with it.

The only way you could do that is if you sat with your foot on the clutch for the duration of the lights, I suppose you had the other foot on the brake all the time too. Please tell me this hasn't become normal driving practice.

Whatever happened to putting the car in neutral and applying the handbrake at traffic lights?

MaxFlower

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I would select 3rd gear for moving off in snow or very frosty conditions.

Vehicles with huge torque, e.g tractors, can go in almost any gear. In Top Gear, a few years ago, Clarkson demonstrated the torque of an Aston Martin (DB9?) by starting in 4th and accelerating all the way up to 140mph in the same gear.

A few weeks ago he was in a Corvette Z06 . He showed how the car's enormously powerful engine lets it go from 0-175 mph in 5th gear. I found that impressive. I sometimes take off in second or third for the hell of it. Not great for the clutch though.

SeanW

Hagar wrote: »

The only way you could do that is if you sat with your foot on the clutch for the duration of the lights, I suppose you had the other foot on the brake all the time too. Please tell me this hasn't become normal driving practice.

Whatever happened to putting the car in neutral and applying the handbrake at traffic lights?

Exactly, you should ALWAYS apply handbrake & neutral at red traffic lights.

Cookie_Monster

Hagar wrote: »

The only way you could do that is if you sat with your foot on the clutch for the duration of the lights, I suppose you had the other foot on the brake all the time too. Please tell me this hasn't become normal driving practice.

Whatever happened to putting the car in neutral and applying the handbrake at traffic lights?

Only ever use handbrake when stopped on a hill or when I know it will be a long set of lights. Do exactly as you described above, just like the majority of people on the road.

It takes to long to put the car in gear and release the handbrake when moving off, and there is nothing illegal or "wrong" about it.

SeanW wrote: »

Exactly, you should ALWAYS apply handbrake & neutral at red traffic lights.

Where does it say that?

kodute

SeanW wrote: »

Exactly, you should ALWAYS apply handbrake & neutral at red traffic lights.

Now that is just plain wrong... change ALWAYS to SOMETIMES and you'd be correct.

Hagar

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Only ever use handbrake when stopped on a hill or when I know it will be a long set of lights. Do exactly as you described above, just like the majority of people on the road.

It takes to long to put the car in gear and release the handbrake when moving off, and there is nothing illegal or "wrong" about it.

Where does it say that?

How do you know what the majority do? How many miles do you get to a clutch?

kodute wrote: »

Now that is just plain wrong... change ALWAYS to SOMETIMES and you'd be correct.

Please explain.

Did both you guys do this during your driving tests? By that I mean one that you passed.

LuckyStar

Changing into 1st gear and taking off the handbrake takes about 1.5 seconds... not a long time.

SeanW

I used handbrake+neutral at all times waiting for traffic lights (have done this consistently since I changed instructors), passed yestarday doing this consistently (earning only one Blue fault along the way) having waited at 3 reds.

As such, I feel that it's best practice to always use handbrake+neutral. The only time I would consider not doing that is if I had a strong expectation that the light is due to change within two seconds of my coming to a complete stop. Even then it would be very unlikely.

Cookie_Monster

Hagar wrote: »

How do you know what the majority do? How many miles do you get to a clutch?


Please explain.

In a line of traffic most cars will have the brake lights on, can imply from that that they are not using handbrake. Also see many roll back on start or not "sit-down" just before pulling off indicating handbrake being used, really only noticable on hills.

How is that going to damage my clutch? Its not like its partially engaged or anything.

Hagar wrote: »

Did both you guys do this during your driving tests? By that I mean one that you passed.

Passed my test, and did the whole stop with brakes and leave it in first during the test also. It's not an issue unless you are on a hill. ( Didn't do it every time I stopped, only when it was appropriate, i.e. on flat ground or downhill slope.)

Hagar

Do you think that everyone with brake lights on is sitting with the car in gear and the clutch depressed?

You are not supposed to roll-back on starting, it demonstrates very poor control of the vehicle.

Ask any mechanic about sitting with the clutch depressed and see what he says.

We hold opposite viewpoints, I don't think either of us is about to be convinced, so in the interests of harmony I'm bowing out.

Cookie_Monster

Hagar wrote: »

Do you think that everyone with brake lights on is sitting with the car in gear and the clutch depressed?

No not everyone but a reasonable amount of them. Or brakes and car in neutral.

Hagar wrote: »

You are not supposed to roll-back on starting, it demonstrates very poor control of the vehicle.

I know this and try to avoid it, hence i use the handbrake when needed but not all the time. And I make sure I leave extra distance to someone in front of me on a hill if they are stopped with thier brake lights on just in case.

Hagar wrote: »

Ask any mechanic about sitting with the clutch depressed and see what he says.

I'll admit i don't know too much about the mechanics of it, but would the only addintional wear not be on the springs(or whatever device) moves the clutch plates apart.

I used to use the handbrake and neutral at every stop point when I was first learning to drive but a combination of both my parent and 2 instructores telling me it was unnessicary and driving an automatic every so often has led me to stop doing it.

Hagar wrote: »

We hold opposite viewpoints, I don't think either of us is about to be convinced, so in the interests of harmony I'm bowing out.

I can of course see the merits of using the handbrake all the time, especially if you are just learning to drive but I feel that it is mearly task that can make driving more difficult long term and that a lot of people will discard this approach as they drive more. Similar to the push-pull method of steering, its something everyone does at the start but a lot stop doing once they've passed a test

Cookie_Monster

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I'll admit i don't know too much about the mechanics of it, but would the only addintional wear not be on the springs(or whatever device) moves the clutch plates apart.

To follow on from this which causes more wear?

Changing down from third to nuetral while coming to a halt and then back into first again when moving? --> Clutch down, and back to change to neutral from third and again from neutral to first (4 movements)

Or changing from third direct to first, 2 clutch movements?

kodute

Hagar wrote: »

Please explain.

Did both you guys do this during your driving tests? By that I mean one that you passed.

Of course I passed! :cool:

Its very simple really, some situations you will not need to handbrake and neutral, some situations you will and some situations it would slow the progress of traffic if you were to handbrake and neutral.

My instructor advised me to handbrake and neutral when you are third or more back in the queue at traffic lights. If you handbrake and neutral when at the top of the queue you will be slower taking off, whereas when farther back you can see the top of the queue moving and have more time to engage gear.

Also (foot) brake and neutral is not a good idea IMHO. Either maintain a reasonable tension with the clutch biting point which will hold the car in the event you take your foot off the brake or else handbrake!

kodute

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

driving an automatic every so often has led me to stop doing it.

You drive an automatic and tell us about clutch control?! On yer bike!

Cookie_Monster

kodute wrote: »

You drive an automatic and tell us about clutch control?! On yer bike!

Sometimes, drive a manual daily. read the post

Timmaay

This is a pet hate of mine, my mum always leaves it in gear at lights, even uphill ones. A good few times I've noticed her not using the brake but slipping the clutch and reving the engine to stop the car going back for 10sec or more on uphills! Needless to say you could smell the clutch burning like crazy. She goes through clutchs about every 40-50kmiles:eek:, but it doesnt matter what I say to her, she keeps doing it.

When at lights, dont leave her in gear, as well as wrecking your clutch you'll get a cramp in your right leg!

Going back on the topic(slightly), the only time I ever start in 3rd gear is when I'm on the motocross bike on the startline of a race:D.

kodute

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Sometimes, drive a manual daily. read the post

Only kidding mate, hence this little fella:

LuckyStar

Timmaay wrote: »

When at lights, dont leave her in gear, as well as wrecking your clutch you'll get a cramp in your right leg!

I am doing my best to do this, but don't ask about my coasting... for some reason I if I am slowing down a lot, I am scared the car will shake if I don't clutch, even though it doesn't unless I was in a low gear to begin with.

prodigal_son

Youre supposed to put the handbrake on every single time you come to a stop that you think would be more than 5ish seconds.

Its for saftey, if someone hits the back of your car while you are sitting there, with the clutch in, and your foot on the brake. You will roll forward, maybe into a busy junction.

It does not take long to change, with practice it takes about the same amount of time, you just have to get ready.

See the other cars on the road stop and you might get the go? see a big gap in the traffic coming up? clutch in, into first, easy on the accelerator, hand on the handbrake, and as the gap comes up, handbrake down (must take the same amount of time as lifting your foot off the brake) and more power on.

The only time it takes more time is when you are putting your makeup on, or reading the newspaper, and you just have not anticipated the change in lights or the gap in traffic. Its all about anticipation.

The only trouble is, although always starting in the right gear, and never in 3rd or 4th unless you choose it, you sometimes might drive off with the handbrake on

egan007

You could start a .5 litre in 5th gear if you want to ride your clutch and bust a piston.

You could probably start a 40ton truck in 16gear with the right power to weight ratio.

Doesnt make it a good idea.....or a new discovery in physics...or motoring...

cython

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

To follow on from this which causes more wear?

Changing down from third to nuetral while coming to a halt and then back into first again when moving? --> Clutch down, and back to change to neutral from third and again from neutral to first (4 movements)

Or changing from third direct to first, 2 clutch movements?

Sitting on the clutch will cause more wear, as there is a spinning shaft in the transmission that is manipulated, and if you have the clutch depressed, there is increased friction against a piece holding this shaft, whereas if it is in neutral, this friction is removed.

The wear and tear on a clutch is not incurred simply in each motion of the pedal, but rather when the pedal is depressed, so 6 motions (whatever reason you would be making six motions for!) with a total time of the clutch being down for about 3 secs is far less wear and tear than 5-10 secs of the clutch being constantly depressed

cance

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Not quite, 5th to 2nd at about 70kph though. Was an experiance I never hope to repeat!

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv choke

Cookie_Monster

cython wrote: »

Sitting on the clutch will cause more wear, as there is a spinning shaft in the transmission that is manipulated, and if you have the clutch depressed, there is increased friction against a piece holding this shaft, whereas if it is in neutral, this friction is removed.

The wear and tear on a clutch is not incurred simply in each motion of the pedal, but rather when the pedal is depressed, so 6 motions (whatever reason you would be making six motions for!) with a total time of the clutch being down for about 3 secs is far less wear and tear than 5-10 secs of the clutch being constantly depressed

I see. Where'd you get 6 from?

Cookie_Monster

cance wrote: »

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv choke

:D:D