Do you downshift to first gear?

[$4c@b]

This question is directed more to those with MT cars, but since I recently drove a brand new A4 with 'waffle-fry'-flippers and downshifted to 1st once in a while, I'd like to hear from y'all.

[offroader1006]

well, unless i am in reverse, i can't upshift to 1st.

[davis449]

It depends on how low of speed I am. In traffic, occasionally I will have to use first from a slow, and I mean SLOW, roll. In traffic with the A\C on when it's 90+ degrees the car won't pick up very well from 2nd gear.

[Jagaer]

No, in normal traffic I usually downshift to 3rd and then use the brakes.

If the traffic is moving slowly I do downshift from 3rd to 2nd, but that is the exception.

I have never downshifted from 2nd to 1st. I've only ever used first to start moving, to stop clutch in at 2nd or 3rd then brakes.

(All those habits go out the window when on the track)

[kelticslob]

The only time I'll downshift to 1st while moving is if I'm going uphill and 2nd gear wont cut it. If you're downshifting to 1st to save the brakes/MPG you're wasting your time.

[Gundem]

uphill only.

[dsq]

i can't downshift from second to first unless i'm nearly stopped, i don't want to force it and jam it into first and risk breaking something. is something wrong with my gearbox?

[ILoveT]

i can't downshift from second to first unless i'm nearly stopped, i don't want to force it and jam it into first and risk breaking something. is something wrong with my gearbox?

No

[smithm5]

if comin to light in 3rd, ill take it out of gear, and coast to a stop. if im comin up on a corner, i may downshift to second if its needed, but only if there is a hill...

now if im out in the coutry ill drive a lil more "spirited"

[Jibberific]

I do, but only if i'm in a parking lot going about 3 miles per hour, or if i'm on a dirt road and i want to go really slow so my car doesn't get dusty

[smithm5]

i have friends (honda/subie people) that OBSESIVELY downshift through EVERY gear at EVERY stop....and its kinda annoying.

if they are in 5th, they will go through alllll gears, even first, before they stop. i cant think of a reason to do that...

[$4c@b]

I will almost always ds if I am approaching a light. If I expect the light to change to green, I might hit 1st gear.

The time I use it most is when people are tailgating me. There are few things I hate more. I will throw it into 1st and let out the clutch. It creates quite a panic in the ass behind me. They will always back off.

[offroader1006]

i have friends (honda/subie people) that OBSESIVELY downshift through EVERY gear at EVERY stop....and its kinda annoying.

if they are in 5th, they will go through alllll gears, even first, before they stop. i cant think of a reason to do that...

if i engine brake i always use 3rd, never use 2nd, and only use 4th if i am really high speeds.

i now a few of those types as well.

[OpenSkye]

i downshift to second, and roll into first if im almost stopped..

[ABanT]

It's not even possible to go into first if you are moving. You have to be going reaaaaaly slow to do it.

I don't see the point, 2nd gear has enough power to pull when you are going slow. Unless you are driving a sub 100hp dodge colt or something, then I would see the need to use 1st.

[ThumperMK]

I downshift to 1st from force of habit, always have. I get into 1st below 20mph.

[a4wd]

blip the throttle and you can downshift from 2nd to first gear. Its all about teh heel-toe baby LOL

[Calabria]

Usually on the streets, i only downshift to 3rd to about 25mph and then throw it in neutral and brake, but sometimes ill downshift to 2nd, never 1st though.

[Overboostin]

never

[OverSpun]

I never downshift to 1st.. ever. Only from a stop. There isnt any point because you can start from 2nd if you want to, and 2nd will let you go slow enough 99% of the time, or atleast in my case. Plus, I feel like it puts a bit more unnecessary strain on the car downshifting to first because its not nearly as smooth to do it as any other gear. I just dont see a point... even after having mastered rev matching, heel toe, etc.

[TapouTx914]

Only if im slowed down a lot going up a hill like my driveway to a stop or in very slow moving traffic. Other than that second gear can cover most since you can be going pretty slow in second gear

[wwb4]

No......personally only downshift to 2nd.......and use 1st only from a complete stop.

[Droogan Leader]

Nope.

The only time I shift into 1st is when I'm in stop and go traffic, and the revs line up sweetly. Other than that, can't say that I do.

[bob12312357]

I downshift to 1st from force of habit, always have. I get into 1st below 20mph.

Yea, cause u have a car with less torque then it takes to put on your lug nuts until 6k RPM. On my Audi, I use first to get moving. at 20 mph 1st is at like 4k+ RPM. I don't get the whole down shifting thing in cars. In my car I just roll. On my bikes I down shift becasue if I gotta boogie cause the ass behind me doesn't hit the brakes I got no cage 2 protect me, but then again I never get outta 3rd off the highway on the 600 and around town am usually in 1st or 2nd on the liter and 750. Hell on my I4 750 I don't leave 1st unless i'm on a large heavily trafficed road. I love an 85 mph 1st gear.

[SoEvoL]

Unless im at a dead stop or going really slow (under 10) I goto 2nd, I dont use 1st unless I start off from it. Ive always downshifted to 2nd or taken off from it really. Habit from the truck i guess.

[Eric @ WAR]

Nope...never do (with an exception)

The exception is if I'm in bumper to bumper traffic and I have no choice but to shift to 1st.