So I now that you are supposed to use "W" in wintery conditions and that it starts the car in second gear. But I noticed that the car starts a lot smoother and doesn't have that extra thrust as it does when using "S" and starting in first gear.

My question is, does anyone know if its okay to leave the transmission in "W" mode all the time? For some reason, when driving around town I would rather the car just remain in second gear rather than downshifting to first every time, even when I think it doesn't need to. But I don't want to be doing it if you're really not supposed to.

Thoughts???

Honestly, months ago, I have been playing with that switch, and days later I realized that I have been driving it on "W". I don't think i hurt anything at all. Of course that doesn't mean "S" is useless.

thats how i noticed as well...I thought to myself that the car is not taking off quite as quickly and realized that it was in W. The cars does not use first gear when it is in W. I don't imagine it can hurt either, just wondering if anyone else just leaves it there most of the time. I like it because its a smoother ride (no changing of gears when in the city and driving at low speeds)...

Here's the theory from the guy's in the shop..2nd gear starts are okay temporarily and to avoid wheel spin in icey conditions..they are bad for long term driving. It increases heat and can burn 2nd out over time. Like a 5 speed manual, starting off in 2nd all the time can wear out the clutch faster. Could posibly increase fuel consumption too. It's a saftey/convenience feature, and like many of those types of features, does not always "help" the machine last longer. (Overdrive on american cars for instance)

I like locking down into lower gears according to my speed to avoid a hunting trans, this I think prolongs trans life. That way your car is'nt in top gear by 30 mph. most of the time in town, I'm in 3rd. Trans starts in 1st going up only to 3rd.