Hi all, just wondering if peeps on here recommend starting the coupe with the clutch pedal depressed, or without ? I was reading Auto Italia's buyers guide on the Maser 3200GT ( bloody lovely example by the way ), and it said that depressing the clutch can damage the crank & sensor. Is this a 3200 thing, or something that could affect the coupe? I always tend to start it with the pedal depressed.......

I start every car with my foot on the clutch. Have done it for years, with my car and everyone elses.

It's a safety device on some cars too, as they won't start unless your foot is on the clutch.

Clutch down, every time, every vehicle.

And if doing so damaged my hypothetical Maserati, it would be back to the shop with it right sharpish.

Hmmm, why did I just read that with a Yorkshire accent?

Aye, bloody piggin' typical Aye-talian crap. Tek it back t'dealers.

Another clutch downer here.

Did I also read somewhere it's less stress on something if the clutch is pressed?

Starter motor I think..

My car won't start without the clutch being depressed, I never realised until my wife tried to start it, and she shouted "your car is broke", so I guess I just do it naturally!

So do you play it some Leonard Cohen or something before you start the car?!

Seriously though.. mine won't start either unless the clutch is in

Normally something from the Smiths

I just give the gear lever a wiggle side to side

Yeah I'm a wiggler as well, just to make sure it's not in gear. My dad always leaves cars in gear when parked so I've learned to check just in case he's driven it last, I've almost sent my wife over the bonnet a few times after starting various cars which my dad has left in gear....!

LOL my driving instructer used to sneek the car into gear now and again to check you were paying attention....the git.

My clutch won't work unless I'm feeling depressed

Ive just bought a VW Golf GT TDI, reading through the owners manual this morning and it says DONT start the car if the clutch is not depressed! Always have your foot on the clutch to avoid damage to the starter motor and battery.

(still have the coupe, its just been misbehaving recently)


Joe

Wiggle the gear stick and foot on the clutch always

Clutch down,
1)stops running over someone if in gear
2)Stops me running into a wall if in gear
3)Starter has to work less

Wiggle and clutch down, always done it, no reason, just habit I thing, except for my Disco, thats an Auto!

G

I was having a think about this yesterday and can't see how depressing the clutch reduces the load? When the car is in neutral there is no load on the clutch and depressing the clutch, your putting load onto the clutch plate and thrust bearing.

Anyway i'm a wiggler and don't press the clutch pedal

If your clutch is still engaged then the starter motor will be turning the input shaft of the gearbox as well as the engine .

Baz

I saw that Auto Italia article too and I just can't see how depressing the clutch can interfere with the flow of oil to a thrust bearing unless there is a bad design inside the engine. Pressing your foot down on the pedal pushes down the release bearing and so I can see that the flywheel might get pushed back towards the engine block and how that might move the crankshaft along a tiny bit, but to suggest that the thrust bearing wears out prematurely?

because...well we have fiats. There always left in gear

So the question is, does it make a difference if its in gear and the clutch is engaged??

Why? Doesn't your handbrake work?

my handbrake works, but I still leave it in gear just in case!

they both do, well did, emms is fine, the Toyota is amazing, I snapped the coupe's one 3 days ago. I get in to the habit over winter however as they tend to freeze on

Of the few bad points my Coop has, the handbrake isn't one of them, it works brilliantly!

G