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3K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  TJXJWJ 
#1 ·
Two questions that I hope someone can answer for me as I am going to pick up my jeep tonight. It's a manual and since I have never owned one, I thought ya'll were my best resource.

The dealer told me I can start in 2nd. I was told this on my test drive while entering a feeder road off of a major interstate. Im in Houston, people fly down the feeders. I just want to know if it's true that starting in 2nd is not harmful to my engine.

My other question is that I read for the first 300 miles you shouldn't go over 55 with a new manual transmission. Is that true? I have to drive 30 miles home so if I can't or shouldn't get on the highway, I need to know.

Thanks for any help.
 
#3 ·
Yes you can start and seconds and NO you shouldnt be driving a manual car home 30 miles when you don't know how to drive it. Especially on the highway. We dont want to be reading how you totaled your new Jeep on the drive home. Take someone with you who knows how to drive it.
My husband is driving it home. I'm really not that stupid. I just wanted to know about the speed at which I can drive before the engine is broken in.

Thanks for answering my question about 2nd.
 
#4 ·
Starting in second won't be harmful to your engine, but you will get excessive clutch slip, which will over time reduce the life of the clutch.

My rig is a rubicon, and when not in 4x4 low, I've never had a need to start in second. Even with factory 4.10's gears it isn't that low that you need to start in second.




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#7 · (Edited)
Starting in second won't be harmful to your engine, but you will get excessive clutch slip, which will over time reduce the life of the clutch.

+1 (or +2)


If I whined out the engine in 1st, I'll back off, skip 2nd, and shift directly from 1st to 3rd.
 
#5 ·
vtac2 is correct... i have been driving manuals since 1981.
my 2007 jk was a manual.. it was geared in such a way that i never started in 2nd. starting in 2nd or higher will just force you to slip the clutch, dont do it... clutches arent cheap to replace.. lot of labor... my 2007 jk had 102000 miles on original clutch... i just recently traded it for a 2015 auto jkur.
i am getting old and knees are worn out... "clutching" in bumper-bumper traffic sucks ...

but..

congrats and enjoy your new jeep!!!


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#6 ·
My other question is that I read for the first 300 miles you shouldn't go over 55 with a new manual transmission. Is that true? I have to drive 30 miles home so if I can't or shouldn't get on the highway, I need to know.
All new engines require a break in period regardless of transmission type. Read your owner's manual for the recommendations. If you don't already have the manual you can download one specific to your vehicle off the Jeep website.
 
#9 ·
To answer the second part of your question beepbeep about the over 55mph break in period, I've personally never heard of this before. As said if you are worried about it, just read owner manual and OEM recommendations. I have heard various breakin recommendations for engines and new gears, but not a factory man trans.

I've owned manuals my entire life and never once heard of avoiding this over 55 mph breaking period for a new man trans. When I received my 07 new, I drove it at all speeds. Have not once had any issue with the 6spd.
Just replaced my original clutch at approx 80,000miles and that was after allot of abuse off road and getting soaked and submerged counted less times.

I've usually drive my jeep hard, on and off-road, and after 60,000 miles I changed out the tranny oil, it was still new looking. I am firm believer in regular maintenance though.

If you really want an professional opinion call your local certified transmission repair shop and ask them their advice to this specific question. I'm sure they will tell you straight up.

Good luck with your new ride. Enjoy the jk. Learning to drive the manual on it will be simple. Post some pic of it when you can.


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#10 ·
I think the 55 thing here is not necessarly about the speed limit but more about avoiding highways. The idea here is to let the engine work in various condition and in broad ranges of rpm. If you are cruising on the highway you are not doing that.

I would take it with a grain of salt but if you can take secondary roads on your way home do it. Is that going to matter greatly ... Probably not.


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#12 ·
On my 4.0 i6 i always start off in 2 gear, but yes i know that you have to slip he clutch a bit but i always rev it up and release as it starts pulling and really dont hold it too long, is this still causing wear to the point of worrying? Isnt shifting from 1st to 2nd also still causing wear on the clutch the same amount as to starting on 2nd?
 
#13 ·
While in motion, shifting between any gear is insignificant. Starting from a stop in 2 gear will cause excessive slip and premature wear of the clutch. The only time where starting in second will not slip your clutch is if you have extremely low gearing, IE while in low range 4wd. My jk has 513's (gear ratio) and I still do not start in second.

You state you rev up your engine and release clutch to start in second, well you are still slipping your clutch. Do as you want, but the life of the clutch will be greatly reduced.


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#15 ·
I think the "stay below 55" stuff is all garbage. Drive it normally right off the lot and you'll be fine.

As for never having owned a manual before, they are a lot of fun. I rarely started in 2nd in mine because first is there for a reason. You'll find you can usually skip around from 2nd to 4th or something. The less stress you put on the clutch, the better, so I'd keep starting out in first like you are. Plus, first is the most difficult gear. Once you master that, the rest is cake.
 
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