plunge base router safety question

Hey everyone,
another question.

So far you have all been very helpful, and I thank you.

I am currently running a bosch 1617evs router with the ra1166 plunge base.

this is the first router I have ever owned or used, and I have been using it for about a month doing some serious routing, if you know what I mean. the thing is diesel!

I am currently using a 2 inch double flute bit, which sits right at the bottom of the plate when I am totally unplunged. I would also like to be able to use a 2.5 inch bit but it won’t fit because the plunge base is too short and with the 2.5 inch bit in it sticks out of the plate a half an inch.

I was wondering:
is it unsafe or ignorant to put the router into the plunge base and not put it all of the way down until it won’t go any further? it sort of locks into place when I raise it up a little bit. If it’s safe to use the router in the plunge base with it locked into place up a half an inch, I will be able to use the 2.5 inch bit and dig deeper into my project.

is this an ok thing to do? I have read the owners manual several times but it doesn’t talk about doing or not doing this.

What do you think, experts?