Start Your Engines: Shifting Gears Season 2 Drop Time, Episode Guide, and Where to Watch

If you have been waiting to see what that finale cliffhanger actually meant, good news: ABC is putting Shifting Gears back on the road this fall. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT, with episodes hitting Hulu the next day.

So what are we shifting into?

Season 2 picks up immediately after last season left everyone hanging, and it leans into exactly what this show does best: family friction, new alliances you did not see coming, and that mix of heartfelt character stuff with brisk, network-friendly pacing. Riley is the big watch this year. She is newly divorced, parenting two grown-up kids, and trying to figure out who she is again. That reset should give Kat Dennings plenty to play.

Who is back behind the wheel

Tim Allen returns as Matt, the widowed dad of Dennings' Riley. The grandkids are back too: Maxwell Simkins as Carter and Barrett Margolis as Georgia. And because the Tim Allen-verse is nothing if not self-referential, expect a reunion with several Home Improvement alums, plus assorted guest stars sprinkled throughout the season. Yes, it is on the nose. Also yes, it could be a lot of fun if they pick the right faces.

Episode count, schedule, and that curious runtime

ABC expanded the order from Season 1's 10 episodes to 13 this year, likely riding solid ratings and a warm critical reception. Episodes are slotted weekly through late December. Each one runs about 42–45 minutes, which technically puts it in the hourlong lane, even though the show is branded as a comedy. Inside baseball note: that is the standard network hour format once you cut out ads, so think 'comedic family drama' more than a traditional half-hour sitcom.

Quick hit details

• Premiere: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT on ABC
• Streaming: New episodes land on Hulu the following day
• Season 1: Already streaming on Hulu if you need a catch-up
• Episode count: 13 this season (up from 10 in Season 1)
• Runtime: About 42–45 minutes per episode
• Early episode titles and dates: - Episode 1 'Secret' on Oct 1 - Episode 2 'Date' on Oct 8 - Episode 3 'Passion' on Oct 15
• The rest: Episodes 4–13 are TBA but will roll out weekly into late December
• Cast: Tim Allen (Matt), Kat Dennings (Riley), Maxwell Simkins (Carter), Barrett Margolis (Georgia)
• Guest stars: A mini Home Improvement reunion is on deck, plus other guests throughout the season
• Outside the U.S.: Availability varies by region; check local listings. If it is not offered where you live, a VPN may help, depending on your local laws and services

Bottom line

Shifting Gears Season 2 rolls out on ABC October 1 at 8/7c, with Hulu streaming the next day. New conflicts, more family drama, and some winking Home Improvement nostalgia are built in. Buckle up.