Clutch in or out when starting?

[Jordan]

This question came up on another board and got me thinking about starting my Pagoda.  I have typically started the car in neutral with the clutch out.  I don't know the merrits of starting it with the clutch in, except for safety if it was in gear, but I plan to try it once it stops raining.  Funny, but I start my wifes Honda with the clutch in, which it has to be in order to start it, even when in neutral.  How do others start their cars, clutch in or out?

[hauser]

Making sure the trans is in neutral I simply just turn the key.

[49er]

 Always have started cars with manual Transmission with the clutch pedal to the floor. Starter dosen't have to work so hard.

John

[66andBlue]

That is the way how I learned it also.
And the handbrake engaged!

[Benz Dr.]

And then if you're a dumb ass you might try this:

  6.3, 300HP, out of control, in reverse, backing out through the shop doors, foot hanging out of the car..........

 I didn't get hurt which is hard to believe and only the drivers door got smashed. Now I'm in the car, foot on the brakes, and foot on the clutch ( if it's a standard ) before starting. Don't let me catch you doing it any other way - I tend to get excited about it..........

[kampala]

Personally speaking .... Always with the clutch pedal pushed in ... always ... here's why ...

Once upon a time I was at a gas/petrol station and a guy was filling up some large American car where the filler was in the back hidden behind a flip-up license plate.  Another car, directly behind him started the engine with the car in gear  ... you know what happened next.   We helped this gentleman while we waited for the ambulance ...  the hit was slow enough that his injuries were limited to two broken legs ... maybe a knee.

This happened so many years ago but it is engraved in memory ... so much so that at stop lights or crosswalks if pedestrians are crossing, I pull it out of gear.

[Jordan]

Dan, glad nothing got broken but I had to laugh when I read your exploits.  I could just envision it in my head, with arms flailing and you cursing up a storm.  I'm still laughing.  

John, I had heard that as well that the starter doesn't have to work as hard if the clutch is in.  I'm looking forward to seeing if I hear or see a difference, if this rain ever stops.  At least it isn't snow like they are getting in some States.

[Rodolfo]

half of the clutch and one axle of gearbox is not turning when you push down  the clutch pedal. So easier start. Also always make sure no lights are burning before starting.
Basic principles for best start

[Benz Dr.]

Dan, glad nothing got broken but I had to laugh when I read your exploits.  I could just envision it in my head, with arms flailing and you cursing up a storm.  I'm still laughing.  

John, I had heard that as well that the starter doesn't have to work as hard if the clutch is in.  I'm looking forward to seeing if I hear or see a difference, if this rain ever stops.  At least it isn't snow like they are getting in some States.

You don't stop a 6.3 in reverse until you hit something really solid. The car backed out between two other cars sitting in the outer shop and it was so close it scuffed the paint but never actually dented anything. I stopped the car by turning the key off. This was the second time the throttle got hung up on something so we removed everything and found a bad bearing on one of the shafts. It would only catch in one position - very odd thing really.

The skid marks are still on the shop floor. It really scared the hell out of me...... had the trans been in forward it would have driven out through the south facing wall and it likely would have mangled my foot which was hanging out of the door. I was only moving the car forward about two feet which is how I almost ending up with only one.  :'(

I know better than this. Friday night, 5:55 PM, almost closing time, not thinking right, too big of a hurry...... just about cost me everything..........

BE CAREFUL, OK GUYS?

[Alf]

Reminds me of something i did a few years ago that I think the trauma had pushed into my subconscious. Had the pagoda in the garage engine on to warm up. I just wanted to move it 6 inches so got in put it in neutral and got out and pushed the car. Then without thinking reached into the car and shoved it into park.... Through reverse... Luckily did it so quickly it went straight into park. About 5 seconds later i realised what i had done, switched off and went for a quiet sit down in the dark.