Snow mode = more fuel efficient?
 

In the auto, Snow mode makes it so that the lowest gear you can access in either D or M mode is 2nd. Many luxury cars start in 2nd gear from a stop. For cruising, lately I've been putting snow mode on for what I think would be improved fuel efficiency.

What do you guys think?

Does this make sense? Am I harming the car in any way by neglecting 1st?

What luxury cars start in second and what do they do with first?

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instanc...x/27162284.jpg

:iono:

BMWs, for one. I think some Lexus models do it too.


http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382455

I feel like I've heard about Prius owners doing this... I don't think I'd want to start in second, rather just go easy on the gas pedal from a stand-still.

If you redline it before every shift, starting in 2nd might save you some gas -- of course if you are doing that you likely are not concerned about gas.

But, if you normally short shift to 2nd anyway right after you get going, then the gas savings are likely very minimal and certainly not worth whatever strain you'll be putting on the transmission by being in the wrong gear. Just leave it in auto mode, the car will pick the best gear and you'll probably get the best gas mileage that way

Prii don't have gears, they're effectively continuously variable.

Anyways, no starting in second is not going to save gas because now you're unlocking your torque converter in 2nd which needs more engine torque to start, and the more torque the torque converter transmits through fluid coupling the greater the "slip" and the more energy you lose.

If you want to save gas, get out of first sooner by pulling the upshift paddle, accelerate normally/quickly, then shift to the highest gear possible or let the auto tranny take care of that for you, since the car locks the torque converter in 2nd gear and up. If you don't want to deal with the paddle shifting, press lightly on the gas when you're starting from a dead stop.

Wasting gas is using more power than you need (and then slowing down), driving around with unlocked torque converter, or being light on the throttle in a lower gear than you need.

Sounds like you're putting unnecessary strain on the transmission for minimal gain in fuel efficiency. I wouldn't do it.

how does that put more strain on the transmission?

It doesn't.