What are the consequences of starting the car in gear?

[VonValeria]

The consequences of starting the car in gear include damage to the car's starter and parking brake, as well as wear and tear on the vehicle's mechanical components. It can also cause the car to lurch forward, potentially leading to accidents. Here are some tips for shifting gears in a car: 1. Shift gears according to the car's speed. 2. If the vehicle starts to shake, immediately downshift by one or two gears based on the actual situation. 3. Coordinate the clutch and throttle properly when shifting gears. 4. Master the correct hand position for shifting: cover the top of the gear lever with your palm facing downward and grip it firmly with all five fingers to shift. 5. Ensure the gear is fully engaged when shifting. Additional information: The car should be in neutral when stationary, except when on a steep slope where it may be necessary to keep it in gear to prevent rolling backward.

[ArabellaFitz]

I experienced this situation before when driving a manual transmission. Starting the engine while in gear is really dangerous. If the handbrake isn't engaged, the car can suddenly lurch forward when starting, just like when the accelerator is pressed, making it easy to hit the car in front or an obstacle. Once I did this on a slope and almost rear-ended another car due to rolling. Although automatic transmission cars are somewhat safer, the transmission will shake violently, and doing this long-term can damage the gears and clutch plates. Even scarier is that when the engine starts while connected to the drive shaft, it puts several times the normal load on the starter motor. After just a few times, the battery and starter motor could be ruined. The mechanic said fixing this issue would cost at least a thousand bucks. It's best to develop the habit of pressing the clutch, shifting to neutral, and then starting the engine—it's both safer and saves money.

[SanAubree]

After driving for ten years, I've seen many beginners fall into this trap. Starting the engine in gear directly leads to the vehicle surging out of control, especially with manual transmissions—the sudden jolt from the engine firing up is terrifying. My neighbor once did this in an underground garage and ended up smashing straight into a fire hydrant. While automatic transmissions have safeguards to prevent starting in gear, forcing ignition can still damage the car—the grinding noise from the transmission gears is heartbreaking. The real issue is the starter motor straining to turn the entire vehicle, overloading and potentially burning out the electric coils. The battery also drains much faster, leaving you stranded roadside in freezing winter misery. Always check the gear lever position before ignition: depress the clutch for manuals, ensure it's in Park for automatics. This simple habit saves hefty repair bills.

[Ortiz]

Last time my cousin had to send his brand-new car for repairs after just two months of driving, all because of starting the engine in gear. If you start a manual transmission car while it's in gear, the vehicle will suddenly lurch forward, making it hard to even hold the steering wheel steady. Although automatic transmission cars won't start in gear, the dashboard will sound an alarm, and forcing it to start will make the transmission clunk loudly. The worst part is the damage to the starter motor—the pinion gear grinds against the flywheel. The mechanic showed me the worn parts, with chunks missing from the edges. Additionally, the sudden forward lurch puts stress on the suspension, and over time, this can lead to deformation of the chassis components. Now, I always remind him to check the gear position before starting the car—it's safer and saves unnecessary repair costs.