Whats this clutch thing?

[Chris_Blue]

Been abroad for a while recently and hired a car
Other than the (Irritating) engine stop/ start mechanism at traffic lights etc, the car wouldnt actually start when you got in it, without depressing the clutch and turning the ignition
Years ago a colleague told me you were supposed to depress the clutch when starting vehicles in this country, but I never have
My vehicle prior to the DS3- Ford Focus 1.6- had 97,000 miles in 8 years and it didnt seem to suffer from not depressing the clutch
Do people depress the clutch to start- and if so what are the (perceived) benefits?
Should we all do it, whatever fuel, engine, or what?
CBLUE

[cyclone]

Most cars are now wired so you have to depress the clutch for it to start. Safety thing, I am absolutely sure at one point some idiot had the car in gear and didn't press the clutch so they ran someone over and then had the audacity to take the manufacturer to court. Can't you just see that scenario happening in todays world

[sted]

try a vauxhall i needed to move the brother in laws disastra estate you need clutch and brake depressed to start it

i always have started cars with the clutch in since i once got in a car my dad had parked in gear and it lept towards the garage wall

[Chris_Blue]

So its nothing to do with less wear on the clutch/ gearbox then?
CBLUE

[AJ07]

try a vauxhall i needed to move the brother in laws disastra estate you need clutch and brake depressed to start it

i always have started cars with the clutch in since i once got in a car my dad had parked in gear and it lept towards the garage wall

I do the same as my Dad once left his car in gear and when I started it did the same. Old habits die hard.

[Chris_Blue]

Funny enough, I always leave mine in gear on anything that isnt completely flat, in case handbrake isnt secure
Has never crossed my mind not to take it out of gear before I start the engine
Never thought of someone else starting the car:redface:
CBLUE

[Arlow]

I've always done it, afaik it's to reduce the load on the starter motor. Also it's good practice to give the gear stick a wiggle side-to-side to check that the car's in neutral before starting.

[AJ07]

I've always done it, afaik it's to reduce the load on the starter motor. Also it's good practice to give the gear stick a wiggle side-to-side to check that the car's in neutral before starting.

Do this too. Think my driving instructor taught me this back in 1977

[Chris_Blue]

Wiggle it.. just a little bit....go on wiggle it.....every time (Song from a few year back with loadsa backsides in it- nice ones!)
1977.....and we are going mad......1977.....and everyones bleeding mad (X-Ray Specs- Punk rock band of the time- great stuff)
CBLUE

[Czar]

Back in the day before DMF (dual mass flywheel) flywheel clutch kits, depressing of the clutch prior to start was and should have been avoided, due to the lateral force placed on the crankshaft and the thrust bearings from the clutch depress, excess clutch depress was cause for premature thrust bearing wear, and this could and often was related to a misdiagnosed big end knock upon starting, this was simply the lateral play of the crankshaft, moving between the 2 central side thrust bearings, known as end float (nose float)

Moving onto DMF flywheel clutch kits and the idiot proof fail safe in gear engagement system, with full clutch depress necessary before any electrical current is sent to the starter solenoid via the clutch pedal actuated switch, clutch depress still puts lateral load force into the crankshaft and thrust bearings, but due to "technology for idiots" there is no escape for crankshaft lateral load, that said any excess wear and tell tale end float knock of the crankshaft/thrust bearings, will be absorbed by the spring cushioning (vibration damping) from the DMF (dual mass flywheel)

The primary function of the DMF is to absorb vibration pulses (firing pulses) from the crankshaft but it also absorbs crankshaft thrust bearing excess wear end float knock too, thanks to its vibration deadening qualities, the DMF's secondary function is to absorb transmission shock load and gear rotation chatter, and although the DMF is good at its job, it's function as a flywheel (power transmitter) is somewhat compromised, leading to very early premature clutch failings, and yes the flywheel manufacturers are aware of this issue, as too are the vehicle manufacturers, who blame 99% of premature clutch wear on, wait for it........driver error!

I'm sure in some cases this maybe true, that said, if "driver error" is the global blanket get out of warranty excuse, the we all must drive in the same manner, to induce "driver error" !!!!!

[Chris_Blue]

So- should we depress the clutch when starting or not?
You ever get drunk, say silly things, and be just generally daft sometimes CzAR?
2 monosylaballatic answers be fine
CBLUE

[Czar]

So- should we depress the clutch when starting or not?
You ever get drunk, say silly things, and be just generally daft sometimes CzAR?
2 monosylaballatic answers be fine
CBLUE

Ideally then NO, but more and more vehicles have the idiot switch fitted, forcing the clutch to be depressed to initiate the starting procedure, as for getting drunk that will be never, however that said, I do enjoy a glass of Red wine, Vodka and the odd every now and then pint socially, hmm not sure about saying silly things, maybe others sometimes think what I say maybe silly, but not I, I do have lots of fun though, I work hard and so I play hard very hard, and my fun isn't everybody's idea of fun.

[Chris_Blue]

Nice one Czar- at least you seem a bit human like the rest of us proletariat
Not just like CZEN......(The box of trickes on Blakes Seven we discussed) LOL
Milltek Cat timescale slipping then?
CBLUE

[Czar]

Nice one Czar- at least you seem a bit human like the rest of us proletariat
Not just like CZEN......(The box of trickes on Blakes Seven we discussed) LOL
Milltek Cat timescale slipping then?
CBLUE

Hahahahaha, currently I have no further detailed timescale release dates for the Milltek high flow downpipe, the last I heard and posted was for the end of November, I will contact Milltek and see if I get a firm timescale release date.

[Chris_Blue]

I do enjoy a glass of Red wine, Vodka and the odd every now and then pint socially,

Well CZAR- if you like all that your OK in my book
But you mustnt drink them all at once LOL
Cos I would try- Ha!
CBLUE
Post Scriptum: Milltek will say earliest 2013 for release