Should You Press the Clutch and Brake When Starting the Engine?
2 Answers
Starting the engine requires pressing the clutch and brake. Relevant explanations are as follows: 1. Pressing the clutch when starting the car is for safety reasons. 2. Pressing the clutch can prolong the engine's lifespan. 3. If you don't press the clutch, although the engine can still start, it will increase the burden on the starter motor and amplify the current output from the battery, thereby affecting the engine's ignition performance. Things to note when driving a manual transmission car: 1. Do not press the clutch pedal when not shifting gears. 2. Finding the clutch engagement point is crucial when driving a manual car. When approaching the engagement point, release the clutch slowly while pressing the accelerator. 3. Coordinating the accelerator and clutch while driving should be adjusted according to the vehicle speed, as the driver's reaction time decreases inversely with increasing speed.
When I first started learning to drive, my instructor repeatedly emphasized that I must press the clutch before starting the engine, especially in a manual transmission car. Otherwise, the car might suddenly lurch forward if it's in gear, which is very dangerous. Looking back, there was a time when I forgot to press the clutch, and the car almost hit a wall after starting, giving me a cold sweat. Now, when driving an automatic transmission car, I’ve developed the habit of pressing the brake before ignition, as some models will activate a protective mode and shut down if the brake isn’t pressed while in P gear. Developing this habit not only protects the transmission but also prevents accidents. If you drive a new car, many automatic transmission models will have dashboard indicators reminding you what to press. Checking the vehicle manual regularly can also be helpful. In short, pressing the clutch or brake isn’t just a starting habit—it’s a fundamental safety practice.
