A (probably daft) question on starting a car

[JustALooseScrew]

Manual car, gear selection is in neutral.

Should/do you put your foot down on the clutch pedal or leave it completely off it when you start the engine?

My answer: I do press the pedal.

Though really thinking about it now I'm struggling to come up with any valid reasons for this 'habit'.

Being over 50yrs old, and remembering back to the old days where removing any load what so ever on the engine was like winning a bonus ball in getting the car/bike to start.

Thoughts?



I would have preferred to start a poll thread, but 'newbies am not allowed'

[JustALooseScrew]

Pica-Pica said:

So with car already in first, it is seat belt on, clutch down, start and drive away.

That's different for me, I only do up the seat belt after the engine is running. (All usual checks apply). I can't see the point in putting on a seat belt only to have to take it off again to get out and go grab some jump leads.

Must be an age thing! :lol:

One interesting thing I've noticed with some of my journeys is that I always make sure I'm the last person in the car to put on my seat belt. I often carry young lads to rugby matches, the car engine is always started whilst they are getting settled.

I often find my seat belt is the last thing I do before moving off.

Pica-Pica said:

So yes, clutch down when starting. It is a habit that ensures that if a car is in gear, it will not lurch/stall.

[JustALooseScrew]

Peter3442 said:

One reason for not depressing the clutch is to avoid load on the crankshaft thrust bearing when it's likely to be dry of oil.

Were you reading this thread too?