Clutch Question

Pinkeyes

Pinkeyes

Pinkeyes

Associate
Joined
30 May 2005
Posts
1,533
Location
Greater Manchester
Why do people press the clutch before starting engines ?

Does it prolong the life of it, or is it an extra safety measure to ensure it is not in gear ?

It's something I have never really done, but I was at a garage recently and the mechanic started my car and had the clutch pedal on the floor when he started the engine.
 
I would think it is the in gear thing, for a mechanic jumping in and out of unfamiliar cars it probably isnt a bad idea
 
As far as I'm aware you are just making certain that the gears are disengaged, I do it about half the time on my car but I'm not sure why really since I very rarely leave the car in gear unless I'm on a hill.
 
it does slightly reduce the load on the starter.

in some countries, manufacturers are required to fits equipment that means the car wont start unless the clutch is dipped
 
It means the starter doesn't have to turn the gearbox input shaft, in very cold weather this could reduce the load on the starter by a small amount but it's pretty insignificant in this country.
 
I never ever press the clutch in. Due to me never ever leaving it in gear when parked up.

I should really though.

It's not nice when I start other peoples cars up and they leave it in gear :D
 
My girlfriend was sitting in the car the other when i was getting lunch in the shop, she wanted the radio on so went to turn the ignition on and it was still in gear.... At least I wasn't parked too close to the car in front :rolleyes:
 
i do it out of habit, due to usually leaving the car in gear
i've also started to start on the brake, probably due to driving an automatic for a while recently..
 
i do it mostly out of habit... my Mum always left the car in gear and it scared the life out of me when i was learning (all those years ago) So i still clutch down, waggle the gear leaver and start the engine :)

Its previously been suggested (in other threads as well as this one) that its better for the starter motor in the long run...
 
I do it out of habit now due to many lunges in the past from my dad moving my car and leaving it in gear, as I never leave it in gear but he always does :@
 
In some it's mandatory - a lot (all?) of American cars won't start unless you have the clutch pedal depressed.

Usually just to stop 300ft.lb+ propelling it through the wall in whatever gear it's in :D
 
The megane which i drove about for a couple of months when i passed my test didn't let the engine start unless the clutch was pressed so its just a habit i got into.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

So bottom line, unless your car won't start without it pressed, there is no real advantage of doing it...
 
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