Starting the car properly

[Tortaruga]

This is stated in the VW gti owners manual:

In a manual car you're supposed to depress the clutch pedal before turning the ignition. It means the starter is cranking the engine only.

It also says that you shouldn't keep the key turned when the engine has fired.


Another point mentioned is that if you've done a hard drive you should let the engine idle for approximately 2 minutes before shutting down.

[paulw123]

got a habbit of pressing clutch down any way, in case some idiot has left it in gear 
why do you have to let it stand after a long trip tho?

my neighbour used to let it stand, and then rev it a couple of times?

[Tortaruga]

why do you have to let it stand after a long trip tho?

It's something to do with protecting the turbocharger. Not sure if it applies to diesels.

[Scottymon]

Revving it before switch off in a modern turbo car is the opposite of what you should do, iirc, it harks back to very old cars that would benefit from having some fuel ready to be ignited on next start up. 

I always let the engine idle for about 10 seconds or so before switch off, certainly no spinning the turbo up and then switch off; starving it.

[Jamie3184]

got a habbit of pressing clutch down any way, in case some idiot has left it in gear 
why do you have to let it stand after a long trip tho?

my neighbour used to let it stand, and then rev it a couple of times?

On older cars that were turbo charged the turbo would be oil cooled, letting it cool down while in motion would extend the life of the turbo charger rather than turning the car off straight away and having the oil burn and form deposits. This is why may old subaru's and the like that had been modified had turbo timers installed, allowing the car to keep running for a set period without the need to have the key in the ignition or even anyone in the car.

These days cars tend to have water cooled turbo chargers so keeping them running after a really hard work out isn't as important but still very much recommended, i still do it 

[MC71]

This is stated in the VW gti owners manual:

In a manual car you're supposed to depress the clutch pedal before turning the ignition. It means the starter is cranking the engine only.

It also says that you shouldn't keep the key turned when the engine has fired.


Another point mentioned is that if you've done a hard drive you should let the engine idle for approximately 2 minutes before shutting down.

Our Ford SMax hire car in Spain wouldn't start by turning the key alone, you had to depress the clutch first then turn the ignition to start the car, very annoying.

Can't be arsed to wait for my car to cool down after giving it a thrashing, life's to short. Get it in, start up and drive off and get where your going, stop, put the handbrake on, turn the key off and get out. Job done.

 

[GrayMK5GTI]

why do you have to let it stand after a long trip tho?

It's something to do with protecting the turbocharger. Not sure if it applies to diesels.

Yes does apply to diesels.

[Simon_2.0t]

I have always started my cars with clutch down, I don't know why, maybe just think is a bit less stress on engine. Plus warming up/cooling down important on turbo cars 

[Kalpsn2000]

I have a DSG now but in my previous manual I got in to the habit of depressing the clutch on startup...cause I had a close call once when it was still in gear

[petesimcock]

I always used to put the clutch down when I had a manual as a precaution. Now I have DSG, I seem to put my foot on the brake.  I suppose it just means I can get into 'D' that little sooner and be on my way

[rich83]

The mk6 will not start unless you press the clutch down.

[Saintsteve]

The mk6 will not start unless you press the clutch down.

Likewise with my Vw Transporter.. Won't start unless you depress the clutch..

[homesqueeze]

I have always pressed the clutch before starting because a long time ago someone advised me it was a good thing to do. Also as above, in new VWs you have to do it to be able to start anyway.

[gtipirelli]

The wife's A1 will only start with the clutch depressed. 1.4 tfsi model

[JoeDarKa]

I keep the clutch depressed on start up too. I also let it sit for 30secs ish if its been driven hard. Usually take the last mile or 2 quite easy too