Pulling away when not quite stopped

[Z.B]

It depends. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned gradient. On a steeper downhill probably 2nd (maybe even from stationary). Uphill definitely 1st.

Also consider how quickly you need to pull away.

I quite like 2nd in this situation, but only if it's not going to stress the car. For when you do need 1st, yes, double declutch is a useful tool.

[FussyFez]

Personally always double de-clutch into 1st, it's what the car likes most and feels like the correct thing to do.

Eta

Obviously with rev match.

[SK425]

pistonheadforum said:

I was always told (rightly or wrongly) that you should only select first when stopped.

Being generous, I think the appropriate response to simple, prescriptive rules like that is a massive dose of scepticism. The controls are put in the car for the driver to use. If what you want to do is best served by changing into first gear while moving, you are allowed to change into first gear while moving.

[RobM77]

pistonheadforum said:

Thanks very helpful.

It's a big diesel tourer and it does feel as though dropping to second and pulling away is a lot more mechanically sympathetic to first where you can feel it stand on it's nose if the revs are not matched and first is selected.

Of course the secret is to never let the car completely stop! Keeping the moveing momentum the secret to a reasonable MPG when hypermiling in a large barge!

I was always told (rightly or wrongly) that you should only select first when stopped. A pet gripe other than pulling on the handbrake without pressing the button (shooting offence!) is people who slow down for a junction and have already rammed it into first before coming to a stop - ie getting ready to pull away.

That's simple advice and it applies to most people (who don't rev match) and most cars (where 1st gear is very low). However, if you're a competent driver in a car with a high first gear, then engaging 1st when moving is pretty much a necessity to smooth clutch friendly progress.

[Jonsv8]

FussyFez said:

Personally always double de-clutch into 1st, it's what the car likes most and feels like the correct thing to do.

Its what your car like most, other cars might differ. Some cars are happy to pull away from a standstill in 2nd unless loaded or on an uphill gradient - some automatics used to do this by default.

I agree that each car has to be treated according to its own needs. Blanket rules can't work. One of the excuses given on a speed awareness course I've been on (yep.. I sinned) was an old fella saying he only got done because his car wouldn't do 30mph in top gear and he'd been taught to drive around in top gear and the others were just to help get there. He really struggled with the notion that it was Ok to drive in a lower gear.

[Technomad]

fido said:

Yadizzle1 said:

davepoth said:

Rev match down into first and pull away. You might need to double declutch just to make it extra smooth.

+1

+2.

+3 - skill beats trolls, every time.

My automatic car is an X5 which seems to prefer to pull away in 2nd, but flipping to sport mode when decelerating puts it into 1st, ready for a smarties roll-on if needed.

[Technomad]

fido said:

Yadizzle1 said:

davepoth said:

Rev match down into first and pull away. You might need to double declutch just to make it extra smooth.

+1

+2.

+3 - skill beats trolls, every time.

My automatic car is an X5 which seems to prefer to pull away in 2nd, but flipping to sport mode when decelerating puts it into 1st, ready for a smarties roll-on if needed.

[watchnut]

For me it depends on gradient, and load of the vehicle.....if car has 4/5 pax full boot you would do it differently than just driver on own. If your neck snaps...you got it wrong!

Like already said keep momentum going....cheaper on fuel...shows good anticipation/planning....no car likes moving off, uses a shed load of energy to get going, that has to be less vehicle sympathetic.