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Author Topic: Starting car with clutch depressed  (Read 3395 times)

Offline andrewparker

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Starting car with clutch depressed
« on: December 18, 2011, 08:31:27 pm »
I have a MK6 GTD hire car at the moment and it only allows me to start the car with the clutch in. What is the reason for this, and is it considered good practice on a regular petrol car?

The MK6 GTD is awesome by the way, I'd happily swap my GTI for one. I saw 60mpg on the way up to Waitrose this afternoon!
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Offline alexperkins

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2011, 08:34:51 pm »
Ive always started my manual cars with the clutch depressed - applies less load to the flywheel on start.
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Offline sub39h

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2011, 08:35:06 pm »
it's just a safety feature so you can't start the car in gear. did that on a mate's car once (didn't realise he'd left it in gear, we were on a perfectly flat paved car park ffs). nearly ended in catatrophe, car lunged forward and almost smacked the car in front :ashamed:

it's been such a long time since i've driven a manual i'd totally forgotten to check it was in gear, so for muppets like me that feature would be ideal  :wink:
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Offline icenutter

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2011, 08:39:42 pm »
I was taught to do it from day 1.  It saves the starter motor turning the starter motor from having to turn the gearbox as well as the engine; saving wear and ensuring quicker starting.
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Offline bacillus

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2011, 08:44:49 pm »
Quote from: icenutter on December 18, 2011, 08:39:42 pm
I was taught to do it from day 1.  It saves the starter motor turning the starter motor from having to turn the gearbox as well as the engine; saving wear and ensuring quicker starting.
+1
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Offline Tfsi_Mike

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2011, 08:48:25 pm »

I do it as force of habit. As above to prevent extra load on the starter and safety precaution incase ever left in gear.

I found Germans ALWAYs left my car in gear and am glad I'm in the habit of starting with clutch pressed!
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Offline rdfcpete

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2011, 09:09:51 pm »
Quote from: alexperkins on December 18, 2011, 08:34:51 pm
Ive always started my manual cars with the clutch depressed...

+1
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Offline hiddenspy

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2011, 10:01:44 pm »
Im tje same always start my cars with the cluch in .its a habit now
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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2011, 10:44:08 pm »
I have a diesel and I was told the best way to start it was:

1. Press clutch
2. Turn key one notch to start electrics.
3. Wait a second until the glow plugs light on the dash goes out - this gives them a chance to warm up before actually startng the car.
4. Once light has gone out, turn key to the next notch to start the engine.
5. Release clutch, or engage gear and drive.

Not sure if the glow plugs thing is correct or not, but that's the way i tend to start as it only takes a second or so for the light to go out before I can start the engine.
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Offline mortygttdi

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2011, 10:49:40 pm »
The glow plugs don't actually do anything unless the ambient outside temp is at a certain degree I think its below 4 degrees??

Darren
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Offline andrewparker

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2011, 10:57:53 pm »
Blimey, I didn't expect it to be so conclusive. I shall adapt my routine and commence legal proceedings against the AA Driving School and my parents!
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Offline boxxer1973

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #11 on: December 18, 2011, 11:09:20 pm »
was taught many moons ago while learning to drive, to always press clutch and check gear
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Offline gulfstream11

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2011, 06:02:53 am »
My Jeep Wrangler would,nt start unless the clutch was depressed.. As an off road vehicle I soon disengaged that.Half way up a steep hill,stuck and you want to come back down you need to start the engine in reverse..As for Cars,my Grandad nailed it into me to depress when starting..Funnily enough the worst moments I have had for incidents is with the DSG..I keep putting it in D when I want to go R..  :scared:
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Offline 182_blue

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2011, 07:20:56 am »
Was always taught to depress the clutch and have always done it.
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Offline itismebigd

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Re: Starting car with clutch depressed
« Reply #14 on: December 19, 2011, 09:35:54 am »
Goes without say really,specially if like me you are mechanically minded,or you always got a cuff in the lug from your old man for not doing it lmao :happy2:
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