Should the Clutch Be Depressed When Starting the Engine?

[GiannaLee]

Starting the engine requires depressing the clutch for the following reasons: 1. For safety purposes, developing the habit of depressing the clutch when starting helps prevent accidents caused by sudden vehicle surges due to accidental gear engagement; 2. Reducing the load on the starter motor, depressing the clutch disengages the mechanical connection between the engine and the transmission. Otherwise, the starter motor would not only need to rotate the engine but also indirectly rotate the transmission gears. The clutch is located within the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission, with the clutch assembly secured to the rear plane of the flywheel by screws. The output shaft of the clutch serves as the input shaft of the transmission. During vehicle operation, the driver can depress or release the clutch pedal as needed to temporarily separate or gradually engage the engine and transmission, thereby cutting off or transmitting the engine's power input to the transmission.