Is this true..... Starting the car in the cold advice

[djfaulkner]

Not heard of this before, but found this on the beeb website.
Any truth in it?

Asked whether putting blankets around batteries was advised he said: "That is more appropriate for older cars. We don't advise that.

"Before starting the car you should make sure the lights, radio, heated windscreen are all switched off, then dip the clutch when you turn the ignition. That means all the power from the battery will go to the starter motor."

Link to the webpage
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16873411

[J4CKO]

Makes sense but really modern cars with a decent battery should be fine.

[LayZ]

Well second bit definitely is. Keeping a battery warm would definitely help the cranking current but wrapping it up could go wrong, bits of towel in drivetrain etc.

[rallycross]

I think it makes plenty of sense, I notice with my cars as soon as it gets cold like this the ones that dont get moved for a week or two end up with a flat battery. Whereas in summer they can sit for ages and not get a flat battery.

[jagnet]

Yes. The battery puts out less current when cold, so the less drain on it from ancillaries the more there is available to the starter, which is the single biggest power draw on the battery. Likewise putting your foot on the clutch makes for slightly less drag on the engine.

Most of the time it's not an issue, but if the battery is marginal then it could make all the difference.

[Codswallop]

jagnet said:

putting your foot on the clutch makes for slightly less drag on the engine.

I always put the clutch in before starting - eliminates the risk of starting in gear, and the starter motor only has to turn over the engine rather than the engine and transmission aswell, hence less energy needed to start the car.

[loudlashadjuster]

Best of luck wrapping anything around the battery in a modern engine bay.

[MK4 Slowride]

Codswallop said:

jagnet said:

putting your foot on the clutch makes for slightly less drag on the engine.

I always put the clutch in before starting - eliminates the risk of starting in gear, and the starter motor only has to turn over the engine rather than the engine and transmission aswell, hence less energy needed to start the car.

I've always done this, my grandad advised me when I got my first car. Clutch in = less drain on the battery.

Also with batteries if they're warm they give that bit more life. If the batteries in your remote aren't working well take them out & rub them so they get warm, they think they're charged and will give a little bit more.

[mnkiboy]

In most modern cars the lights and heated screens won't work unless the engine is running, and the radio cuts out when the starter is engaged. I always start with foot on clutch anyway.

[DanielC4GP]

mnkiboy said:

In most modern cars the lights and heated screens won't work unless the engine is running, and the radio cuts out when the starter is engaged. I always start with foot on clutch anyway.

I was just about to post this. My car won't even run the heating fan on cold mornings until the engines idled for a few seconds or until you rev the engine slightly.

[PAULJ5555]

My M reg Golf VR6 has a padded surround wrapped around the battery. Its made for wrapping around the battery its not some old padding shoved there but I don't know if it was like that from the factory.

[DazBock]

I usually put my foot on the clutch before starting, not sure it makes any real difference but I figure it's worth a try.

[off_again]

Modern electrics in cars render this type of advice irrelevant really.

The battery in our car is in the boot, so generally warmer and less open to the air. Its also covered and insulated to stop it from rattling etc. The engine electrics are heavily managed by computers so it shuts off pretty much everything when you press the start button anyway. So there isnt much you can do to turn off things before you start the car.

Keep the battery charged and in good condition, replacing it when needed and you will be fine.

[fangio]

A down-side of pressing the clutch is the wear on the crankshaft thrust bearings, being squeezed before the oil gets to them.
No need to press the clutch on a modern car, that advice goes back to when 6 volt systems were the norm. (I speak from experience, were all 6 volt when I were a lad......;))

[mike325112]

fangio said:

No need to press the clutch on a modern car

Try starting a Hyundai or a car with push button start without it - they don't start. Systems to make you do this are becoming more and more common place to avoid people starting in gear.

[Zod]

My car won't start without the clutch pedal down to the floor.

[Jimmy No Hands]

Ironically the E30 did not start this morning. Doesn't seem to like the cold. Might try with the fan set to zero and radio off and the clutch engaged and see if it makes a difference, cheers!

[Fastdruid]

I'm pretty sure my Mondeo handbook recommends you start it with clutch in.

[Mr Obertshaw]

Some cars wont start unless you have the clutch in. I know my girlfriends Yaris wont. I always put mine in without thinking about it.

[nottyash]

My Disastra struggled to start the other day and I did exactly all that when I jump started it.
I would of thought it was common sense.

You can usually get away with starting a car with radio's / fans etc left on but when your battery is on its way out it makes a difference.

Ive noticed a few cars Ive owned state to press the clutch when starting the car anyway, even an old Daihatsu Charade GTTi had it in the owners manual in 1989.