Startin out in 2nd button

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DuckLN

DuckLN

10 Year 15 Year
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Flooded timber of Arkansas
Do many of you use this?

What kind of fuel econmoy improvement can one expect versus not using it?

Will it harm the motor to lug it in 2nd gear?
 
I use it in slippery conditions to get going from a complete stop. I would not think it would improve you fuel economy at all, if fact, I would think it would hinder you mileage if used all of the time. More fuel to get it going, rather than starting in first.

Someone also has mentioned using in when the diff is in 4-wheel low. I haven't tried that yet, but probably will sometime this year.
 
Someone turned me on to using the 2nd start while in low. I was skeptical but it was great advice. Never used it on snow. I suppose I should give it a try.
 
can someone school me a little on this? This past weekend I was trying to climb a rock ledge with ice and snow pack on the down hill side. My tires could not grip at all , and would just spin. Should I have tried the 2nd pwr button ?
 
DuckLN said:
Do many of you use this?

What kind of fuel econmoy improvement can one expect versus not using it?

Will it harm the motor to lug it in 2nd gear?
Click to expand...

I used this button quite extensively while in Southern Colorado over New Years during a 3 day snowstorm. I used it while motoring around town. It certainly adds to its sure-footedness in snow.

It works wonders in situations like the black pickup on the left. Parking on a downward slope, most of this towns parking was even steeper than this and covered with ice and snow. Trying to back up without sliding into your neighbors car was the challenge. With the LC and 2nd Start it was a breeze.
Ouray1.webp
 
Howdy! I use this a lot on the trails. I just did 35 miles in the boonies on Saturday with 10 other rigs. A lot of the easier sections of the trail did not need the really low gearing of 1st gear/low range. So I push the button and start off in second gear instead. It works very nice and I don't get that big jerk going from first to second in low range. If I find that I really need it, I just pull the shifter down to Low, and away I go. Check the "Devil's Canyon/Easter Island" thread on the Copper State Cruisers board in the club forums. John
 
1loudLX said:
when my truck's in 4L i keep 2nd start on unless I've got to crawl over a feature.
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Why? I mean, what do we gain by having it start in 2nd rather than in 1st?

I know we may not "need" the low gearing, but what's the harm?

...I've never used the button, and have never felt the need for it... perhaps I'm missing something :hhmm:
 
sonk76 said:
Why? I mean, what do we gain by having it start in 2nd rather than in 1st?

I know we may not "need" the low gearing, but what's the harm?

...I've never used the button, and have never felt the need for it... perhaps I'm missing something :hhmm:
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makes it less jumpy, doesn't constantly shift from 1st to 2nd every time you go above 6mph or so. I use it when I'm running steeper more unmaintained FS roads. Makes for a nicer ride for the passengers as well, not so much banging about.
 
because you'll blow your front diff.

it's a lot nicer and smoother to not have it do that 1/2 shift every time you stop
 
sonk76 said:
Why? I mean, what do we gain by having it start in 2nd rather than in 1st?

I know we may not "need" the low gearing, but what's the harm?

...I've never used the button, and have never felt the need for it... perhaps I'm missing something :hhmm:
Click to expand...

I have never use that button either.
 
It's great for snow runs, where you're trying to bash through a drift or something. You can step on it to make sure your momentum won't die out, but it keeps the torque low so you won't spin out quite as easy. If you step on it and downshift to first in real deep snow all that instant wheel spin can just kill your momentum.. I've done a lot of snow runs and tried the same spot many times with every locker/gear combo. the consistently best option is low range, 2nd start, locked in back only.
 
i used it once this winter after owning the truck for a year. i felt an advantage controlling the truck on sheet ice (really wet 3" snow followed by single degree cold snap). i used to use this sort of gear selection quite a bit in all the manual trans mini trucks for same situations: ice, 4WL trails and sand (ie, starting in second gear).

btw, i think there is only one reverse gear :p
 
LCHardriver_02 said:
Someone also has mentioned using in when the diff is in 4-wheel low. I haven't tried that yet, but probably will sometime this year.
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Not sure about in the 100 series but in 4LO on the 80 series, when you are in 4LO it tends to stay in 1st gear until a high RPM. Pressing the second button allows you to cruise a little faster without revving so high at first and it takes away from some of the jerk start/stop of 1st gear in 4LO. I use it a lot.

Another reason mentioned above is to start in snow or very loose traction surfaces without spinning the tires. Land Rovers start off in second gear the same way in one of the "settings" on the newer models. I was reading through one of the manuals and it said that for the snow setting one of the things it does is start the vehicle off in second gear to reduce slippage.
 
I get what the "2nd" button does now, how bout the "pwr" button located right above it?
 
Changes the shift points in the trans so it holds in gear longer. Best used for mountain driving or steep grades from what I've heard. I just turned mine on for city driving yesterday, gonna check the gas mileage difference if any. Shotts said he saw an improvement in his mileage by leaving it on, so I figured WTH, I'll give it a try.
 
on the 5spd, it also makes it downshift while braking to increase engine braking. Cant say i ever noticed that on the 4spd.
 
TheFuzz said:
Changes the shift points in the trans so it holds in gear longer. Best used for mountain driving or steep grades from what I've heard. I just turned mine on for city driving yesterday, gonna check the gas mileage difference if any. Shotts said he saw an improvement in his mileage by leaving it on, so I figured WTH, I'll give it a try.
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He says a lot of stuff :flipoff2:

It specifically says in the manual the fuel economy will go down by leaving the pwr button on all the time :lol:
 
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