Starting the engine

[qwer9182]

I have recently been paying extra attention to detail when starting my 1997 Lumina. It seems that turning the ignition key is different at various times. The first time I start it in the morning, the key turns into accessory mode quite smoothly and also is easy to turn when starting the engine. When starting, the engine starts quickly, but not extremely quickly (maybe like one second).

When starting the engine any time after that, I notice that the engine starts EXTREMELY quickly. In addition to this, the ignition key often requires more force to turn, even when simply turning it into the accessory position. The fact that the key is harder to turn makes starting the car more difficult. Due to concerns with "over-using" and perhaps damaging the starter, I try to quickly start it, but the resistance presented has sometimes caused me to not turn the key far enough, in which case strange noises are made from somewhere.

Is what is happening a normal occurance or is something wrong? I have had mechanics and other car experts comment that I hold the ignition too long, but whenever I do not I have problems with the strange noises (when these strange noises are being made it does not sound like anything else is happening). I like the simplicity of the "first start of the day" because the key turns easily and the car starts like other cars. But I have concerns when starting it at times other than that. What exactly should be happening? How exactly should the car start, and what is the proper way to do it to avoid damaging anything?