I think my seat manual recommends starting and stopping with clutch depressed, I'll take a look!

I think my seat manual recommends starting and stopping with clutch depressed, I'll take a look!

Surely not. :S

I can see how this may have applied some years ago but on todays modern engines/drivetrain it just doesn't seem feasable.

Something to do with having less stress on the starter motor and all that gubbins to do with not having part of the gearbox to turn too (input shaft? I don't know - not that massively au fait with what exactly is attached when clutch engaged etc.). I think its another argument about whether it really matters or makes a difference in the grand scheme of things Vs some people swearing by the theory of it.

In terms of starting with the clutch down... its just good practice in my view.

Although the gear stick might seem likes it's in neutral you dont know if the actual gear levers or mechanism hasn't stuck in gear.

I normally just take it steady for the last few mins/miles then switch pretty much straight off.

Phil

Starting with the clutch down will definitely lessen the load on the starter motor, even if you are in neutral. Definitely helps with starting in cold conditions or with a low battery, even on the most modern of engines! Starting with the clutch down remains recommended practise from manufacturers, in fact my Dad's BMW won't start unless the clutch is depressed.

Shutting down with the clutch pedal pressed is a different matter, I didn't do it until I got the Furby and read up a bit on DMFs. In terms of saving the DMF, as I said it smooths out pulses in the torque and two fairly big pulses are of course starting and stopping the engine, so logic dictates that disengaging the clutch and avoiding these loads being transmitted to the DMF would extend its life, to what extent though, who's to say?

Edited 11 April, 201214 yr by ckyliu

I also stop the car with the clucth down. I leave the car in gear so leave it in gear as I stop the engine with the clucth down. Never thought about it in terms of potentially saving wear... it's just habit.

Phil

Starting with the clutch down remains recommended practise from manufacturers, in fact my Dad's BMW won't start unless the clutch is depressed.

The newer Octavia's (09 onwards, I think) are the same - I seem to remember hearing it was an EU thing, although that might be cobblers! I guess it's deemed to be good practice, because the DSA tell you to do it ...