Just bought a 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 yesterday - should I use 1st gear?

Asked by Tim Jan 17, 2014 at 04:18 PM about the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 C1500 SL Extended Cab LB

Question type: General

It has the 5 speed manual transmisison
The owners manual says "First (1) is intended only for heavy loads and is not
recommended for normal driving"
So...  if I dont have a load, I just start in 2nd?  I have never heard that - is that correct?
Thaks!

2 Answers
4,995

Colin answered 10 years ago

the old 4 speed tranny you could use second to take off but they where geard really low.if it was my truck with a 5spd I would drive it using first,this way you don't put unecesary strain on the cluth and pressure plate and your clutch will last longer.

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pickupman answered 10 years ago

Mine is a 5sp also with a 5.0 engine and extended cab. I use my first gear every time. I can't tell from the way you wrote your question, but to drive for any amount of time in first gear would not be recommended unless you had a heavy load and going very slow. Is that what you mean? Like traveling up hill with a heavy load you may not want to go in 5th gear.

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