Correct Way to Start a Ford Focus

Ghuraba

Ghuraba

Ghuraba

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Hi there

Might seem like a silly question but why does the manual say to press the clutch down then turn the key to position 4 to start a Ford Focus then release the clutch? I never press the clutch down then release after starting. What is the reason for this? I was thinking incase you have the car in gear and forget?

Michael
 
That's pretty much it. It also reduces (very slightly) the mass the starter motor has to turn by disengaging the input shaft in the gearbox.

Mainly though, it's the car left in gear thing.

My audi will not start unless you press the clutch.
 
to disengage the gearbox, maybe a bit of the leaving it in gear worries from a safety point of view, but originally advised to reduce the load on the starter motor. This was for old cars though, it's pretty out dated with todays gearbox technology, I'd rather replace a starter motor than a clutch :p
 
Never been in a car where you need to press the clutch then release it again before you start. Normally just: Dip clutch > Turn key > Into Gear > Go
 
>Key in.
>Turn key twice.
>Let dash clear.
>Foot down on clutch.
>Turn key to position 3.
>Go Go Go!

Or just turn key and go ;)

I make a habit of starting the car with the clutch pressed down as my dad has a habit of leaving it in gear when he moves it!
 
1CE said:
I make a habit of starting the car with the clutch pressed down as my dad has a habit of leaving it in gear when he moves it!
Click to expand...

I have that same problem, it REALLY annoys me. I don't dip the clutch though, I just give the gearstick a wobble from side to side to make sure it's not in gear
 
Toker said:
I have that same problem, it REALLY annoys me. I don't dip the clutch though, I just give the gearstick a wobble from side to side to make sure it's not in gear
Click to expand...

*shrug* I always leave my car in gear when I park. I live near the bottom of a hill though :) Force of habit I suppose.
 
Good practice to leave car in gear in case hand brake fails.

Your actually pushing the crank/bearings slightly out of position when you put the clutch down, so you could argue that by always starting with the clutch dipped, your wearing the engine quicker. (of course that is hypothesis!)
 
Sagalout said:
All Suzuki's do it too. Well, bikes anyway, not sure about the cars.
Click to expand...

was going to say the same thing, Suzuki bikes have done it for years, never knew cars did as well though. I do it just out of habbit really nut I suppose it its actual quite a sensible safety feature.
 
Does the following.

-Prevents you lurching forward if it's in gear.
-Reduces the weight attached the the crankshaft, maybe starting quicker.
-Doesn't spin up the gearbox input shaft, maybe reducing the tiniest bit of wear on the 1st gear synchro. when you select it, or stopping a crunch if you choose reverse.

Something of nothing TBH.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have one more question.

Does this only apply if you are actually in gear, what if you are in nuetral do you still press the clutch pedal down?

Thanks

Michael
 
Ghuraba said:
Thanks for the replies. I have one more question.

Does this only apply if you are actually in gear, what if you are in nuetral do you still press the clutch pedal down?

Thanks

Michael
Click to expand...

2nd 2 parts of my post are for when you're in neutral.


Half the time I don't bother TBH. Depends on the situation.
 
I prefer to simply wiggle the gear lever to ensure it's in neutral. Never done it any other way and this method has never failed me either!
 
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