Clutch down, engine on?

Prophet · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:05

Virdi said:
That's cos the wheels are off the ground - lol

Epic fail is Epic!

Freefaller · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:07

Yup always do it too. Then again all my motorbikes have needed that too so I guess it's force of habit.

dekez · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:11

I've always done it as well.

miniyazz · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:17

gurusan said:
only noobs don't do it

This tbh

Also, poll tbh.

I've always done it, the way I was taught, and continued the habit because it makes sense. I'd rather not zoom into any stationary objects when starting up.. three times over <10 years is three too many for my liking.

I think it kindof ties in with leaving your car in gear when parked as well. I now do this all the time after parking on a hill for a while, though it's not really necessary on the flat. A friend of mine refuses to leave it in gear though, despite being parked on a steep hill to a main road.. because she doesn't press the clutch down and is therefore worried about crashing into a lamppost when she inevitably starts it in gear. :rolleyes:

IAmATeaf · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:19

I always done this, never knew why, just thought it was a good idea to do so.

Prophet · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:21

miniyazz said:
A friend of mine refuses to leave it in gear though, despite being parked on a steep hill to a main road.. because she doesn't press the clutch down and is therefore worried about crashing into a lamppost when she inevitably starts it in gear.

Key word in bold

Matt82 · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:23

Orange Peel said:
Epic fail is Epic!

quoted for le truth.

trust me, with your foot on the clutch youre not turning over the gearbox internals

also no risk of it being in gear etc my gf has no idea of how to put your foot in the clutch so has tried to launch my car into the house a few times

CliffyBiro · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:26

Have never done this. Just a wiggle of the stick before starting to make sure it's out of gear.

Dr Who · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:32

Foot on clutch stops the input shaft turning, and reduces the drag on the starter motor ( a tiny bit).

Used to be important when starter motors were pap, now not so critical, but I always do it out of habit

Gaijin · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:32

Janesy B said:
I find that some people need to pull off in a set routine, when I first passed it was in neutral and handbrake on regardless of the situation and if I tried anything else it'd all go wrong.

I agree except that she passed her test about 5 years ago, and for a woman she drives very, very well and with confidence.

Pete19s · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:35

gurusan said:
only noobs don't do it

Indeed, although if you now do it because you didnt realise the your car was in gear and tried to start the car shooting forward into the back of your dads Ford Ranger thus re-arranging the already sad face of you fiesta into an even more sad face make you pro/l33t? My missus has never really been pro at anything and would be well chuffed if her lazyness has resulted in her becoming pro at starting a car. Or is she infact a n00b of epic levels now

I had to chuckle when she told me, she still wonders why I wont let her drive my car.

Clutch down here.

miniyazz · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:52

Orange Peel said:
Key word in bold

Oh, I know

Tee Hee Johnson · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:56

Might start doing it, will see! Is lurching forward actually that bad, any time i have done it the car only moved a few inches then came back! I understand its bad for the car, but do some cars actually move a few feet?

isset · 14 Dec 2009 at 10:59

Virdi said:
If the car is not 'in gear' it would not turn the gearbox internals... Only the clutch and flywheel etc...

Someone has no idea how their car works

Fireskull · 14 Dec 2009 at 11:03

Freefaller said:
Yup always do it too. Then again all my motorbikes have needed that too so I guess it's force of habit.

Same with me just habit from bikes, that and as said just incase in the morning daze turn over with it in first

markweatherill · 14 Dec 2009 at 11:16

Consider this: you'll need to dip the clutch anyway after the engine is started, so you might as well do it before starting up. Unless you're running the engine for some other reason than driving off straight away.

miniyazz · 14 Dec 2009 at 11:16

craig_kennedy83 said:
Might start doing it, will see! Is lurching forward actually that bad, any time i have done it the car only moved a few inches then came back! I understand its bad for the car, but do some cars actually move a few feet?

Either the car would move a few inches and stall, or you'd keep moving forwards until you put your foot on the brake (when it would stall) or the clutch. Just depends if the handbrake is holding the car, obviously.

miniyazz · 14 Dec 2009 at 11:17

GeX said:
On some cars you need to else it won't start, some do to save load on the starter, I don't because I know its easier to replace a starter than clutch release bearing. I don't think it makes a jot of difference tho tbh

markweatherill said:
Consider this: you'll need to dip the clutch anyway after the engine is started, so you might as well do it before starting up. Unless you're running the engine for some other reason than driving off straight away.

Unless the slight extra time on the clutch, while starting, is your reasoning, GeX!

Tute · 14 Dec 2009 at 11:18

I don't bother, I just check it's in neutral, and turn the key.

Girlfriend does it though, I always tell her not to as my instructor said it was a bad habit to get into?

PiKe · 14 Dec 2009 at 11:19

Kia Sorento won't even start unless you put the clutch in.