Right sequence to start the engine??

[swift8847]

Hi guys!!.

I was wondering as to what would be the right sequence to start up.
Am sure not everyone will follow the same way for starting up the engine.

The way I do it:

1. Shift to neutral.
2. Press the clutch.
3. Turn the engine on.( Without pressing the accelerator)
4. Shift to the first gear. (After a few seconds of idling ofcourse)
5. Release the hand brake.
and then vroooommmm!!!

Need your opinion on this. Woluld help me and others for that perfect start.

@MODS: If this topic has already been discussed then please merge the thread.

[Sankar]

1) Handbrake on (if not parked with it on).
2) Shift to neutral.
3) Press the clutch.
4) Switch off electrical accessories & AC.
5) Start the engine.
6) Warm up the engine for 30 secs (personal choice in the case of MPFI cars - better to do in carb cars, keep the revs a bit high - in diesel cars heed to manufacturers recommendation, if none recommended it's good to idle for 1 minute even in the case of non turbo cars).
7) Shift to first gear.
8) Release the handbrake.
9) Take off.

[zenopio]

pressing clutch and starting is necessary for all the vehicles ?????

[vikram_d]

No it is not necessary. It is just a precautionary step taken to prevent the car from cranking while in gear.

[sukiwa]

Warm up the engine for 30 secs

Carry out errands like switch on desirable radio station or music CD & put on seat belt, adjust side mirrors (if required) during these 30 seconds.

pressing clutch and starting is necessary for all the vehicles ?????

It's a good practice & ensures jerk free starts in case one forgets to keep gear in neutral. On the other hand, few new cars don't start if clutch is not pressed.

[abhilash_iv]

My take:
1) Press the clutch and shift to neutral.
2) Keeping the clutch pressed, start the engine. (mostly A/C is on, usually I never switch off the A/C)
3) Take foot back from clutch.
4) Put on the seat belt, and sometimes music
5) Release handbrake.
6) Press clutch and shift to first gear.
7) Take off.

I know that the 5 & 6 need to be interchanged, else it may roll the car in an incline. But now this sequence has become so used, that I uses the pedal break in such occasions.

[PatienceWins]

Originally Posted by abhilash_iv

My take:
2) Keeping the clutch pressed, start the engine. (mostly A/C is on, usually I never switch off the A/C)

The stress on the engine is more with AC on during start. Keep the AC off while starting the engine. My practice is to switch off the AC and music system while switching off the car.

[greenhorn]

is it an issue if i keep my HU on during startup? my installer asked me to keep it off.
The HU gets restarted during ignition...

[watashi75]

I usually make it a habit to press the foot brake before releasing the handbrake, and also press the accelerator while releasing the clutch. This enables me to follow the same starting sequence in both level ground and slopes. Besides it makes me aware of the position of my right leg at all times.

[narayan]

adding to the above, i also adjust the side view and rear view mirrors.

side view invariably gets shifted when the car gets cleaned in the morning

[eclectix 1st]

My sequence of procedures before take off

1. Bring gear shift to neutral.
2. Turn on the ignition key to mid position
3. Check all the warning lights (Battery, doors etc)
4. Turn the ignition key full way, Car starts.
5. Check ORVMs & RVM for proper deployment.
6. Wear Seat belt.
7. Slip in to 1st gear
8. Handbrake release
9. Take off.

Points to note:

• Hand Brake is always on when Stationary.
• ICE & AC is on most of the times. There is auto cut off during ignition, so I don't usually bother. If they are off, I switch them on after ignition.
• The time between the ignition & take off warms up the Engine.

[abhilash_iv]

Originally Posted by PatienceWins

The stress on the engine is more with AC on during start. Keep the AC off while starting the engine. My practice is to switch off the AC and music system while switching off the car.

I believe that there is an auto cut off of A/C while ignition. If it is not so, I need to seriously change my habits!!

[navin]

Originally Posted by eclectix 1st

[*]ICE & AC is on most of the times. There is auto cut off during ignition, so I don't usually bother. If they are off, I switch them on after ignition.[*]The time between the ignition & take off warms up the Engine.[/list]

The stress on the engine is maximum at startup. remember when the engine is being started after a long rest (particularly overnight) there is little or no oil in the engine block itself. It take a few revs for the oil to reach the cylinders.

It is best to reduce stress on the engine and keep the A/C off for the first few seconds.

In fact I switch the A/C compressor off a few seconds before parking because with condensor coil is still cool enough and the fan will continue to blow cool air for a few seconds.

Also since I dont drive on a regular basis I check all my mirrors and adjust my seat before starting the car.

[Jr Godzilla]

FOR CARB ENGINES
Cold start
1) One time Depress the throttle slowly (no pumping please) and fully in and release slowly Foot off the pedal
2) Depress Clutch and crank.
3) if it does not start repeat step No 1 twice(no pumping please) , then depress clutch and crank
4) if it still does not start depress throttle slowly(no pumping please) and hold the throttle to the metal, depress clutch if you are comfortable and crank - on start release the throttle.
5) the above steps will get your engine running at a higher rpm with foot off the throttle just blip the throttle to get it to idle rpms.

if your engine first and your carb is in good tune then you will note the rpms run a bit higher for a couple of minutes and after sufficient operating temp it will idle normal.

Hot start
1) Depress throttle a little NOT TO METAL(no pumping please) and hold it there depress clutch if comfortable and crank.

Flooded Carb
1) Never pump the throttle as its already flooded with fuel
2) open up the air filter
3) as you look into the carb from top you will see the choke plate
4) use a screwdriver to keep the plate open fully (do not use some stick bit as it may get sucked in and do not keep your hand on screwdriver and ask someone to crank as there is a chance of reverse fuel out)
5) depress throttle all the way in to METAL and hold, depress clutch if comfortable and crank.

[amitoj]

Didnt know there are so many steps involved in starting an engine!! Let me see how many i can list down:
1. Take car keys off the hook on the wall.
2. Open door and get in.
3. Put key into ignition and turn it on.
4. Wait for yellow light to go away and start it.
5. Release handbrake and back out or move forward, as the case may be.
6. Put on seat belt as the car starts to roll
7. Put on favourite music while rolling
8. Switch on AC if needed.
9. Say a silent prayer that i wont get rear ended.