Depressing the clutch to start the car
- Thread starter mbrands
- Start date
I'm with you on the Seatbelt gong, but I understand depressing the clutch is the safer/less-stress-on-the-batttery way.
That's fine if that's what you're used to - and I have no quarrel with that - but it can be annoying if you prefer another routine (like using the gear lever to make sure the car is in neutral).
Personally, I find that with the 'gear lever first' method I know the exact status of the car (ie that it is in neutral) before I start the car, but with the 'clutch first method' I don't know whether the car will be in neutral, reverse or one of the forward gears until after I've started the car and either touch the gear lever or release the clutch. So, I always make sure the car is in neutral before starting it, which makes depressing the clutch superfluous. Besides, what if the clutch is worn ?
I'm sure that in reality both routines are sufficiently safe and mechanically sympathetic; sometimes it's just what you prefer or what you're used to.
Personally, I find that with the 'gear lever first' method I know the exact status of the car (ie that it is in neutral) before I start the car, but with the 'clutch first method' I don't know whether the car will be in neutral, reverse or one of the forward gears until after I've started the car and either touch the gear lever or release the clutch. So, I always make sure the car is in neutral before starting it, which makes depressing the clutch superfluous. Besides, what if the clutch is worn ?
I'm sure that in reality both routines are sufficiently safe and mechanically sympathetic; sometimes it's just what you prefer or what you're used to.
Isn't it the case that depressing the clutch disengages the gearbox input shaft from the engine which lessens the strain on the starter motor and battery (Mark covered the battery bit)? The 9*6 owner's manual actually states that you should depress the clutch before starting...
Now I see what you guys mean about the battery and mechanical sympathy. I did not understand the connection before, but the gearbox input shaft explains it.
Still, I would have thought that the additional force required to turn this is minimal compared to what is required to turn over a high compression engine.
Still, I would have thought that the additional force required to turn this is minimal compared to what is required to turn over a high compression engine.
It's purely done to stop litigation in the USA for stupid Yanks, who might start in gear and shoot thru the garage wall!! They would then sue for large $$$ as it's obviously Porsche fault. US cars have had to have this feature for several years and it's nothing to do with mechanical strain!!
jamescharnley
Active member
I agree the reason this sytem is fitted to the car is so stupid people don't start the car in gear, BUT it has always been recommended you start a car with the clutch pressed down for mechanical sympathy ( engine & gearbox are disconnected) . Even the old MK2 golf instruction books had this recommendation & explaination
Guest
New member
Re: Pressing the brake pedal on automatic transmissions before starting.
Didn't that emerge as a mandatory feature after Audi had those extended legal battles in the US (late 80s) where some incompetent owners alleged the car would automatically launch despite pressed brakes? The fault was later found with the drivers who pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes but the PR damage was done. I remember dimly reading that the automatic transmission had to be adjusted in one last recall action to lock the gearbox in P postition unless the brake pedal was firmly pressed, and has remained so to this day.
Didn't that emerge as a mandatory feature after Audi had those extended legal battles in the US (late 80s) where some incompetent owners alleged the car would automatically launch despite pressed brakes? The fault was later found with the drivers who pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes but the PR damage was done. I remember dimly reading that the automatic transmission had to be adjusted in one last recall action to lock the gearbox in P postition unless the brake pedal was firmly pressed, and has remained so to this day.
The more I think about it, the less I buy the mechanical sympathy argument. I am no expert on gearboxes, but I recon that the force required to turn the input shaft with gearbox is neutral virtually zero compared to what it takes to crank a 3.8L, six cylinder higher compression engine. ie I could probably quite easily turn the input shaft of the gearbox with my hand (someone correct me pls, if this is rubbish), but would probably need a long lever and a lot of weight to get the crank shaft to budge even a quarter turn. So, I doubt the starter motor and battery could even tell the difference whether the car is in neutral or has the clutch depressed.
I remember the Audi saga in the US that Ente describes. I agree they must have added this feature on the 987/997 for liability reasons.[
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I remember the Audi saga in the US that Ente describes. I agree they must have added this feature on the 987/997 for liability reasons.[
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968CSReading
New member
I always keep the clutch in when I start any manual car. It is just habit now but I always leave my car in gear.
mik_ok
New member
In a manual gearbox all gears are always "in mesh" ~ you select which gear is "active" by locking it onto the shaft ~ usually the output shaft. That's what you are doing when you shove the gear lever into a slot.
Starting a car with clutch in = you turn over the engine, including flywheel and clutch pressure plate.
With clutch out (in neutral), you turn the above, plus clutch drive plate and whole gearbox. The gears all spin in the (usually cold) gearbox oil, but the car doesn't move as none are locked onto the output shaft.
The latter method has to make a difference, but may be only 5-10% more load on the battery (?). Not a huge amount, but enough that I can be 4rsed shoving my left leg down every time I start every manual car I ever drive.
That aligned to the fact that it suits me (I always leave the car in gear when I park) and I've made mistakes in the past (I've owned some cars where there was so much slop in the selection that any gear could have been mistaken for neutral). [
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