I did not know this. Although I do not have a need for it some of you 2x4s in the north may find it nice.

"Putting the transmission into second when starting will not limit it to second gear, but actually start it out in second, for use on snow or other slippery surfaces (equivalent to the "winter mode" on other automatics)."

Info obtained from

http://www.4x4review.com/vehicles/do...-1500-Hemi.asp

 

That is nice to know, but I am in AZ and I do not get snow here. Thanks though. :O)

 

That just doesn't sound right. When I start in drive it doesn't skip first and second.

Need somebody who really knows what happens to chime in on this one.

 

Huh? (scratching head) He's talking about starting in second gear (2) instead of drive. It's the same as starting in second gear in a stick. It's reduces the chance of wheel spin.

 

I may have to test this out this afternoon on the way home from work. THe weatherman says we are going to be getting a mix of snow, sleet, and rain all afternoon in the big ATL.

 

That's not the way my '03 works. Just tried it at lunch. Put it in 2, hit the gas and it was in first. It shifted into second and held there until I put it in D.
The Doc[sm=coolness.gif]

 

I do that with my manual when on wet roads. Starting off in 2nd lowers your torque = less chance of wheel spin and turning sideways.[sm=exactly.gif]

 

Mine's the same. Put it in 2nd and it starts in 1st then shifts to 2nd and won't change out of gear until I either put it into drive or slow down enough for 1st to take over.

 

What a let down. I just tried in my truck. Started in 2, both with tow haul on and off. Started in 1st. My truck was cold though, maybe it needs to be at operating temp or something. I could not try to much, I reassembled my front brakes this weekend after painting the front calipers. I must have put them together wrong, grind! Oops. So it was a short trip.

 

The concept of starting in 2nd as opposed to 1st is a sound one.
Manufacturers here in Europe, who produce 2wd auto transmissions, usually put a "Snow flake" button next to the auto-shifter.
It's a small button with a picture of a snowflake on it.
When you press this, the auto box automatically selects 2nd when in drive, to allow you to pull away smoothly.
It would REALLY help you 2wd guys out there if you had this. We 4wd guys are obviously OK and stick shifters have been doing this since time began.
The emphasis is on SMOOTHLY.................
When driving in any kind of slippery surface, be it snow or mud etc small changes in either speed/direction are usually the way to go.
But hey..............you all knew that right........................
Al.