Should You Depress the Clutch When Starting the Car?

[McLila]

You can either depress the clutch or not when starting the car; generally, pressing the brake to start is sufficient. Benefits of depressing the clutch when starting: Reduces the load during vehicle startup. When the vehicle is in neutral, although the engine input shaft gear is not engaged with the transmission power output gear, part of the engine's power is still consumed by components such as the clutch driven plate and output shaft. Depressing the clutch cuts off this consumption, reducing the load on the starter and battery, making the startup smoother. Correct method of depressing the clutch: Use the ball of your left foot to depress the clutch pedal, with your heel as the pivot point. First, fully depress the clutch, then engage the appropriate gear while lightly pressing the accelerator. Simultaneously, quickly lift the clutch to the semi-engaged position. Once you feel the clutch engage, you can fully release it.

[William]

Should you depress the clutch when starting the car? I believe it's essential because it protects both the vehicle and safety. If you start the engine without depressing the clutch while the car is still in gear, the vehicle may suddenly lurch forward or backward upon ignition, easily causing collisions or injuries. I once experienced this on a steep slope—the car nearly rolled backward, but thankfully, I had depressed the clutch to stabilize it. Developing this habit is crucial, whether driving a manual or automatic transmission (automatic cars don’t have a clutch, but ensuring the gear is in 'P' or pressing the brake serves a similar purpose). From a daily perspective, this saves energy, reduces engine load, and ensures smoother starts. It’s advisable to always check the gear position before starting; ideally, start in neutral for added safety and peace of mind.