Don't you want to know why we keep starting fires?

[venta]

As some of you already know, our much-loved car recently got to the stage where you either need the time, tools and expertise to do a lot of wrangling yourself, or you have to be prepared for one garage bill after another. Serious car maintenance is not readily compatible with living in a second-floor London flat, so Susan has gone to live with a hairdresser in Wales who's going to restore her to her former glory.

We've acquired a new car, via the lovely people at Palmdale.  Not a new car, obviously, but a newish second-hand one. It's a Hyundai i30 if you care about that sort if thing.

Last Tuesday, I galloped back from work, dropped off my laptop, leapt in the car, turned the key... and nothing. Not a thing.

Well, it's not a flat battery. All the dashboard lights are on (and I do mean all... it's like Blackpool on a Saturday night in there). There was no noise from the starter motor, no indication of problems. Just... nothing

I figured there was probably an immobiliser I hadn't turned off, and experimentally messed about with the various buttons on the key fob. Nope.

We'd taken the car out for a quick spin when it was delivered; ChrisC had started it then. I rang him to ask if there was a knack to it. Yes, he said, put the key in the ignition and turn it. Funny, I tried that. Anything else? No.

I rang Ash from Palmdale: no answer. It was well after 7, so fair enough.

I cancelled rapper practice, and perused the instruction manual. It is immensely thick and immensely tedious. It didn't help.

Ash called me back. Is there a trick to starting this car? Yes. Put your foot on the clutch when you start the engine.

That simple. In fairness, the manual does tell you to throw the clutch out when starting, but it also tells you to adjust the headrest, wear sensible shoes, etc. It doesn't say anywhere that the car won't flippin' start without the clutch down.

Thus far the world has divided into people who say "I'd never have thought of that", and people who say "why on earth are you starting a car without the clutch down anyway, you idiot?" ChrisC apparently steps on the clutch so automatically he hadn't thought to mention it.

My first car was a geriatric Peugeot with a malfunctioning manual choke. Starting it was a black art of balancing pedals (and revving like a bastard). Since my parents (fearing my death, I think) replaced it with their retired Vauxhall I have taken great delight in starting cars by just turning the key. When it was a novelty, I remarked loudly and often about "just turning the key". No one queried it.

Was I taught to start a car with the clutch out? I'm not sure. The only reason I've ever heard is "in case it's in gear". I always check before starting, so I know it's not. Apparently it also reduces strain on the engine, so I should do it anyway.

So, yes. New cars apparently commonly have this feature. Be warned :)

Comments

[ebee.livejournal.com]

Our landrover won't start without nor will large renaults. I now do it as default.