What happens if you start the car in gear during Subject 2?
2 Answers
Starting the car in gear does not cause damage. During the driving test, starting in gear is a technical requirement in driving education, a necessary skill to master for the exam. In daily driving, starting in gear is rarely used; it's more common to start in neutral. The correct procedure to start a vehicle is to shift to neutral, press the clutch and brake pedals fully, and then start. Tips for starting in gear: 1. Starting in neutral without pressing the clutch: The clutch remains engaged with the transmission, and the engine's power is directly transmitted to the transmission. Since the car is in neutral, the transmission won't transfer power to the wheels, so starting in neutral without pressing the clutch is safe. 2. If starting in gear: The gears are already engaged, and starting without pressing the clutch means the engine's power isn't disconnected, directly connecting to the transmission. This can cause the car to lurch forward dangerously. Therefore, when driving a manual transmission car, it's essential to develop the habit of ensuring the gear is in neutral before starting—shake the gear lever side to side—and always press the clutch. Make this a routine.
Buddy, I've been driving for over 20 years, and starting the engine while in gear is no joke. When the car starts while in gear, the whole vehicle can suddenly lurch forward or backward, like a wild horse breaking free. This not only makes it easy to hit nearby objects or people but can also injure your wrist because the steering wheel might jerk suddenly. During the driving test (especially in the confined space of Subject 2), with the small and crowded testing area, the car could hit barriers or obstacles in seconds, ruining the entire exam. I've even seen a friend who carelessly did this and ended up damaging the transmission gears—repairs were crazy expensive. Make it a habit to always check that the gearshift is in neutral before starting the engine—it's safer and saves trouble. Practice this a few times during training, and it'll become second nature. If an accident happens, quickly hit the brakes or turn off the engine to minimize risks. New drivers, take note: safety comes first—don’t focus only on skills while ignoring basic common sense.
