A (probably daft) question on starting a car

[JustALooseScrew]

Manual car, gear selection is in neutral.

Should/do you put your foot down on the clutch pedal or leave it completely off it when you start the engine?

My answer: I do press the pedal.

Though really thinking about it now I'm struggling to come up with any valid reasons for this 'habit'.

Being over 50yrs old, and remembering back to the old days where removing any load what so ever on the engine was like winning a bonus ball in getting the car/bike to start.

Thoughts?



I would have preferred to start a poll thread, but 'newbies am not allowed'

[Scabutz]

Never put the clutch down. If an engine won't start with the additinal load of spinning a couple of shafts in a gearbox it must be in a pretty poor state.

Probably was different 50 years ago but I've never done it in the last 20.

[boyse7en]

I still press the clutch down.
Mainly because I still remember trying to coax ancient A-series engines into life, where pressing the clutch down would reduce the load enough to gain a vital few seconds extra cranking, but also just in case the car isn't quite as much in neutral as i thought it was.

[Pericoloso]

I believe the consensus is to press the clutch as it takes some load off the engine whilst its turning over but does it really make much difference ?

I worked in a SAAB dealer for 16 years so had to press clutch in those due to the gear lock fitted to them,so still do it now in most cars.

[eybic]

I too always start with the clutch pedal depressed, helps avoid issues if for any reason the vehicle has been left in gear. It certainly isn't a bad habit to have.

[steveo3002]

i press it , tiny % wear n tear vs that one time its been left in gear and hits something

[OverSteery]

Scabutz said:

Never put the clutch down. If an engine won't start with the additinal load of spinning a couple of shafts in a gearbox it must be in a pretty poor state.

Probably was different 50 years ago but I've never done it in the last 20.

unless it's an american car, as they won't engage the starter motor unless the clutch is depressed.

[Alex]

I have to press the clutch pedal down, as my car won't start if I don't!

[300bhp/ton]

Scabutz said:

Never put the clutch down.

Safety maybe?

[limpsfield]

Alex said:

I have to press the clutch pedal down, as my car won't start if I don't!

Same for me - 12 year old Boxster.

Although I do it on everything else just out of habit.

[Gary29]

Alex said:

I have to press the clutch pedal down, as my car won't start if I don't!

Same. But I ALWAYS do it on any other car I've ever driven regardless, completely out of habit now, I don't think I'd be able to turn the key without my foot on the clutch pedal.

[Pica-Pica]

I have an Auto now, so that has its own set of starting procedure (it will be in Park automatically with engine off, so it needs foot on brake to start).

Now when I drive a manual, I always park with parking brake on and IN FIRST GEAR (I have read too many news items of cars rolling away and smashing walls, cars, or even killing kids). So with car already in first, it is seat belt on, clutch down, start and drive away. The checking of mirrors and over the shoulder, putting wipers and headlights on, all come within that process (and I have already done a pre-check for traffic as I have got in the car).

So yes, clutch down when starting. It is a habit that ensures that if a car is in gear, it will not lurch/stall.

[Saleen836]

OverSteery said:

Scabutz said:

Never put the clutch down. If an engine won't start with the additinal load of spinning a couple of shafts in a gearbox it must be in a pretty poor state.

Probably was different 50 years ago but I've never done it in the last 20.

unless it's an american car, as they won't engage the starter motor unless the clutch is depressed.

This ^^^^^^^

I can't start my car if i don't depress the clutch

[Ransoman]

I am sure i read on a buyers guide for a Maserati that doing this will damage the engine bearings so never to do it.

I do it if I know there isn't much life in the battery or if the car refuses to start without it.

[Pica-Pica]

Ransoman said:

I am sure i read on a buyers guide for a Maserati that doing this will damage the engine bearings so never to do it.

I do it if I know there isn't much life in the battery or if the car refuses to start without it.

So how does a Maserati engine cope when changing gear?

[Scabutz]

300bhp/ton said:

Scabutz said:

Never put the clutch down.

Safety maybe?

I do wiggle the gear stick to make sure it is in neutral instead.

[limpsfield]

Ransoman said:

I am sure i read on a buyers guide for a Maserati that doing this will damage the engine bearings so never to do it.

I do it if I know there isn't much life in the battery or if the car refuses to start without it.

I used to have an older Maserati and in my experience simply looking at the car in a funny way would cause something to go wrong.

[JustALooseScrew]

Pica-Pica said:

So with car already in first, it is seat belt on, clutch down, start and drive away.

That's different for me, I only do up the seat belt after the engine is running. (All usual checks apply). I can't see the point in putting on a seat belt only to have to take it off again to get out and go grab some jump leads.

Must be an age thing! :lol:

One interesting thing I've noticed with some of my journeys is that I always make sure I'm the last person in the car to put on my seat belt. I often carry young lads to rugby matches, the car engine is always started whilst they are getting settled.

I often find my seat belt is the last thing I do before moving off.

Pica-Pica said:

So yes, clutch down when starting. It is a habit that ensures that if a car is in gear, it will not lurch/stall.

[Biggles delivers the goods]

Always have clutch depressed when I start, was taught that way by my old man. It's good practice, for safety if nothing else.

[Haltamer]

Pica-Pica said:

So how does a Maserati engine cope when changing gear?

They don't