If I m on the highway in 5th gear and a car slows down to 30 mph in front of me do I keep it in 5th gear or do I need to start back at 3rd gear and work my way back up to 5th?
Do you always start out in 1st gear or will it hurt to start in 2nd?
Nosehair
Slowing down to a speed more suited to a lower gear, without down shifting, is not terrible for the vehicle. Acceleration will be very slow in the higher gear but if there is no stuttering the car will work harder than it should but there is usually no danger of eminent damage.
Anonymous
You would not keep it in 5th gear if at lower speeds your car starts to "sputter" just a bit. You would SHIFT into 4th, 3rd gears, ect. In some cars, you can take off in 2nd gear. You have to see how the particular car does.
Anonymous
All depends on the car to be honest.
But yea generally if you slow to 30mph you have to downshift.
As for taking off in first... Some cars can do it in 2nd but generally most are comfortable in 1st
Dave
Yes 1st gear to start always.