Dipping clutch before ignition - do you? (1 Viewer)

[1_man_and_his_dob(lo)]

I'm sure I haven't forgotten the basics of my driving lessons, when I was taught to check the car was in neutral (waggle stick), start the engine and then dip the clutch and put it into gear.

However my Fiat manual says that I should dip the clutch pedal before starting the engine....which I keep forgetting to do.

And then today I read a BBC news article about the cold weather where an AA spokesman says:

"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."

I Googled and apparently this is to stop the start motor having to work the gearbox in addition to the engine....hence the connection to extra battery strain in the BBC article. So I've learnt something today :thumb:

So....is this a fairly recent thing?:Blush:

 

[grumps147]

I'm sure I haven't forgotten the basics of my driving lessons, when I was taught to check the car was in neutral (waggle stick), start the engine and then dip the clutch and put it into gear.

However my Fiat manual says that I should dip the clutch pedal before starting the engine....which I keep forgetting to do.

And then today I read a BBC news article about the cold weather where an AA spokesman says:

"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."

I Googled and apparently this is to stop the start motor having to work the gearbox in addition to the engine....hence the connection to extra battery strain in the BBC article. So I've learnt something today :thumb:

So....is this a fairly recent thing?:Blush:

a number of models will not start unless you do that, our Passat for one.

 

[Phill D]

always taught when i was in the Army ( especially in cold weather ) to dip the clutch on cold starting. Not so important when oils warm up. This disengages the weight of the gears in the box from the engine and lightens the load on the starter and battery.:thumb:

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[pappajohn]

i've always done it.....but then, I leave in gear when parked......except at the moment i have an auto and it wont start if it aint in park/neutral.

 

[Popeye]

No, not that recent, it has certainly been Ford advice for many years now. Batteries have got smaller since the loss of 101octane fuel and high compression engines.

There is no point asking your battery to do more work than is absolutely necessary.

SO, dip your clutch prior to start up. Not many clutches use friction bearing these days like the old phosphor bronze and graphite thrust bearings so less to wear out.

Battery then only has to turn over the engine as opposed to gear train as well.

 

[GJH]

I was taught to dip the clutch before ignition when I took driving lessons over 30 years ago. Always have done ever since.

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[madbluemad]

Its what I've done since I was 17, a very long time ago.
Jim

 

[bobandjanie]

I have always put my foot on the clutch during starting too :thumb: Jane

 

[Popeye]

Just had a thought, all of the Ford range with the new "start" button only operate with the clutch pedal depressed anyway.

When I was in Malta at Christmas my hire car Ren' Megane was exactly the same. Clutch depressed or no start.

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[Cyclewalkbob]

Me To. Put foot on clutch before starting and park with brake on and in gear (drive is on a slope)

 

[peter marshall]

Hi
I allways do, even in the car, old habits etc. Pete :thumb::thumb:

 

[scotjimland]

what's a clutch...

once you have an auto you never want to go manual again.. :Cool:

but yes, like Jim , learned that when I was 17 .. though not so long ago as he

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[ROB1CHELSEA1]

Never heard of it but will take note of the advice.:thumb:

My car and motorhome are manual but the work van is tiptronic and i always use it in automatic.

 

[bobandjanie]

what's a clutch...

once you have an auto you never want to go manual again.. :Cool:

but yes, like Jim , learned that when I was 17 .. though not so long ago as he

It is only Bob's car that actually has a clutch, my Smart and and the van do not. Still do a bit of footwork though On the brake! Jane

 

[bigfoot]

Dipping the clutch is part of the 'cockpit drill' for starting in the Advanced Driving challenge (IAM)

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[DESCO]

Have always done on manual gearboxes was told by a good friends daughter, she was taught by army and drove 10 ton trucks, but could not get on driving cars, too small.

 

[PenelopePitstop]

I have always dipped the clutch before starting - also always park in gear - 1st if car pointing uphill, reverse if car pointing downhill.
Never knew why I dipped the clutch - think Rex told me to when I was learning - he was in the Army at the time

 

[Popeye]

I have always dipped the clutch before starting - also always park in gear - 1st if car pointing uphill, reverse if car pointing downhill.
Never knew why I dipped the clutch - [HI]think Rex told me to [/HI]when I was learning - he was in the Army at the time

Doing what Rex tells you to, has got you where you are today, wise lady.

Have you always done what Rex tells you to? Answers on a postcard please. to Auntie Griff :Blush:

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[1_man_and_his_dob(lo)]

Thanks everyone :thumb:

....looks like I'm in the minority:Blush:

Just checked my old Citroen C3 manual and it also mentions declutching while turning over the engine but only when the temperature is below 0°C....guess that's due to the oil.

 

[PenelopePitstop]

Doing what Rex tells you to, has got you where you are today, wise lady. Yeah - skint and homeless!

Have you always done what Rex tells you to? Answers on a postcard please. to Auntie Griff :Blush:

Now that would be telling!!

 

[Teasy2007]

a number of models will not start unless you do that, our Passat for one.

We have a new Astra and that will only start if you dip the clutch.

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[stcyr]

I remember my Father telling me about dipping the clutch when I was 9 ... that was in 1955 when I was becoming interested in 'how things worked'.

 

[simsy56]

l always dip the clutch on a manual, always have done. It not only stops the gearbox turning, allowing the starter to turn just the engine, it also stops unwanted giant leaps if still in gear, which l have seen many times.

Craig

 

[motorhomer]

I am going to be the only dissenting voice here!

I fully accept that modern car advice is to dip the clutch, and that many cars now will not start if you do not. It does save energy in not turning the gearbox.

But, in the old days, clutch thrust bearings used to wear out and I learned not to touch the clutch more than was absolutely necessary. I remember having to take the engine out of a Hillman Imp (I had no money) - not fun but possible - to replace a clutch bearing, once you've done that your priority is not to wear out the thrust bearing again!

Maybe modern clutches are tougher (maybe????)

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