Dear Tom and Ray:

I drive a 1984 VW Rabbit with a 5 speed manual transmission. Without revving the engine, I can successfully skip first gear and start driving in second gear. Will this significantly extend the life of the clutch? Tim

Tom: Extend the life of the clutch? As my brother has said to me many times, Tim; "Au Contraire, Piston Puss."

Ray: I understand your logic, Tim. Your theory is that if you start in Second gear, you make fewer shifts, right? Because you eliminate that "extra" shift between First and Second.

Tom: But the truth is, that shift from First to Second is much easier on the clutch than what you're doing.

Ray: Right. You say you don't have to rev up the engine, and that may be true, but in order to start in Second gear, you've got to let the clutch out very, very slowly; much more slowly than you're supposed to. And letting the clutch out slowly (a.k.a. "riding the clutch") is probably the worst thing you can do to it.

Tom: So unless you're starting down a hill, or coming out of a "Texas Rolling Stop," our advice is to put First gears first, Tim.

Spending a little money now on "preventive maintenance" can save you big bucks down the road. Find out how by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1994 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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