How Do You Start A Car?

[indiesinger]

No seriously. I used to have a diesel car and I was always taught to fully depress the clutch and touch the gas pedal slightly to help it along and then turn the key.
But now I have a petrol car (a brand new MG ZR Plus!). I have been told that I need do nothing other than turn the key. But unless I depress the clutch fully (but no gas), it grumbles for a while before starting. Is there a right/better way?

[PaulB]

Well I got shouted at the other day for putting my foot on the gas pedal while turning my key... ggrr@dad! Made him walk in the end ;o)
So to answer your question I'd say just turn the key mate ;o)

[darth vader]

no idea why the clutch pedal would make a difference and am assuming its psychological. (I wouldn't recommend it anyway to save your clutch). When starting a petrol engine it is recommended that you depress the gas pedal slightly (but don't start pumping away on the pedal!) so that when it 'fires' there is a flow of petrol in to feed the engine, but the flip-side is that you flood the engine by pumping too much petrol in before it's fired.

[Fitzer]

The theory runs that depressing the clutch reduces load on the engine as it is being turned over as you have disengaged the gearbox, it also prevents you lurching into anything if you have left the car in gear (mind you if you remember to press the clutch surely you can remember to check the gear lever).

[robber1]

With the old carbs., the pedal had to be depressed a little with the choke pulled out. With modern cars this is not needed due the the computer management system which conrols all functions when starting. It takes into account the outside temperature as well when working out how much fuel is required to start the car.

[Disco Fever]

You might find that it grumbles due to the engine being tight as it's brand new and the energy management system will sort out the fuel and air flow as you turn the key so I dont think you need to press the gas pedal as you start the engine.