I have no idea how I did this other than just not paying attention. But on more than one occasion the last two days I've started my car in 3rd gear. I think I was nervous because everytime I did it I was on a hill and I've never owned a manual before. The car has 46k miles and I've only had it a week and half but when you're learning like me you treat the clutch pretty bad. Anyone else accidently started their car in 3rd or another gear that wasn't first? Also about what mileage should I expect to change my clutch?

 

Here's a suggestion. You can pull the parking brake to prevent from sliding back. Put it into first, ease the clutch and when you feel the car start to move drop the e-brake and you'll be on your way. You will put wear on the synchro and clutch when you start in the wrong gear.

 

I did this the next hill I went to and it was fine. the thing that sucked was the guy was litterally like 18 inches behind me. Dude left no room for errors so it freaked me out so I tried the e-brake thing and it was fine.

 

How does starting in the wrong gear put wear on the synchro? If it's in gear, the synchro isn't doing anything at all.

 

Driving vehicles with manual transmissions for 44 years, I am sure I tried to start off in every gear.

 

Lmao +1

Sometimes for sh*ts n' giggles I'd throw my car into 4th from a stop and get it to go. Practice the whole gas/clutch balance :P its actually pretty fun.

No, I don't do this all the time. Once every 9 moons. lol

 

Alright now I don't feel so bad. I've never started a car from stop in a gear different than first ever but after reading the comments I feel better. Yeah it's bad for the clutch but it won't kill it if I only do it a few times. I'll probably replace the clutch next year or the year after anyways because it will probably be time to do it by then. I'll probably upgrade the clutch as well.

 

I haven't driven stick for as long as davidv, but I've tried to get rolling in 3rd and 2nd. In a lot of Hondas you can easily start out in 2nd because of how short the gears are. As a matter of fact, my brother had a 69 GTO and when he was on street tires he rarely even used 1st gear

 

You're like 60? With the ridiculous comments you leave I thought you were more like 20. Unexpected, like taking off a girls pants and finding a *****

 

You've never been to Singapore.

 

Lmfao. Or bangkok

 

Welcome to the Internet.

 

When you park the car, always put it in reverse. When you start, move to neutral or first. How much simplier could it get?

 

You're right, I was thinking skipping gears 1st to 3rd, 2nd to 4th etc puts wear on synchros.

 

Skipping gears doesn't necessarily wear on synchros either; it's rpm dependent. I've started in 1,2 and 3 that I recall.

As for wrong gear selections while moving? While drifting I shifted into 4th out of habit while lining up for a drift and tried to drift for an entire lap like that and couldn't figure out what was wrong >.< My friend was running video inside the car at the time...

 

Usually on hills that aren't ridiculously steep you can let the clutch out enough so that the idle will be providing enough gas so that when you take your foot off the brake you don't go anywhere. At least I guess that's why it happens, I haven't been driving a manual long either.....

 

yeah I've done that before but it's not good for your clutch I don't think.

 

i have started in 4th on purpose its possible haha but a tip on the hills... dont be scared and give it some GAS!!!! seriously lol

 

Born 1949. Promise from now on to act my age.

 

Ive started out in 1-4 , 2nd is simple. It happens from time to time.