My '08 GTS always pulls away in second gear. If I drop it into first at the lights can I just floor it and it will change into second when it needs to? I am worried about damaging the gearbox or engine?

 

The gearbox ONLY uses 1st gear when the engine is cold and the temperature is below or near freezing. It's used to fire off the catalytic converters a bit quicker. There is no reason to manually put it in 1st gear unless you're pulling stumps.

 

My CS shifts into 1st if I floor it , the ECU measures throttle rate as well as position, so if you stamp on the throttle from a standstill, it should shift into 1st. Bit of a delay though, feels as if she has to hitch up her skirt before getting a move on ! My CTT selects 1st if you select "sport" mode. Even if you select 1st manually, it will shift into 2nd with no problem as soon as it needs to, 6500 rpm in the CS , 6700 rpm in the Turbo !! Gearboxes and engine are strong, no need to worry !!

 

Our Cayenne S has always started out in 2nd, and now and then it will shift down into 1st, very rarely though.