What should you do when trying to pull away from a slippery surface in a manual transmission car?

When pulling away from a slippery surface in a manual transmission car, starting in second or high gear is the recommended approach. This method helps to mitigate the risk of wheel spin, which can occur when too much power is applied too quickly to the tires in a low gear. By starting in a higher gear, the engine delivers less torque to the wheels, allowing for a more gradual and controlled acceleration. This technique takes advantage of the vehicle's momentum and can prevent the tires from losing traction on slippery surfaces, such as ice or wet pavement.

Accelerating rapidly, on the other hand, can easily lead to loss of traction. Sudden acceleration in a low gear can cause the wheels to spin, resulting in reduced control over the vehicle. Therefore, focusing on smooth, gradual input when pulling away from slippery conditions is crucial. Starting in a higher gear effectively balances the need for acceleration with maintaining traction, which is why this approach is the best choice in such scenarios.