sarting my car

[gr33n_day]

do i need my foot on the clutch when satrting my car?
thanx in advance

[acw]

You only need to engage the clutch if you left the car in gear.  If it's in neutral then no. 

[kempie]

... although if you get into the habit of depressing the clutch first it will serve you well for the time when you get into a car which has been left in gear and you neglect to test the gear lever before starting the engine.

[PhilD]

If you depress the clutch before starting the engine you are requiring the starter to turn less which put less strain on the starter/battery especially when cold

[pjm007]

Depressing the clutch when starting a car has become a habit for me, my dad and grandad both do this aswell. I don't think its a bad habit by any means as it probably causes less strain on working parts.

[5029]

In some cars you do.  The car I learnt to drive in had a safety feature which meant the car could not be started unless the clutch was depressed, regardless of whether the car is in gear or not.  it was to stop young children being able to start the car

[KebabMeister]

When I was an apprentice mechanic, the mechanic teaching me always told me NOT to depress the clutch whilst starting... I think it was to do with causing extra wear on the clutch thrust bearing (during to starting the engine, clutch disengaged (which is when the clutch cover & bearing is under load)). 

I think this was mostly a problem for older cars and VW gearboxes which were prone to bearing wear.

However, I nearly always started any of my cars with the clutch depressed!

[ianess]

Any Ford that I've owned always started easier with the clutch depressed.  Maybe it depends on the engine maker but I go along with the "less strain on the battery" theory.

[rooftrouser]

How would you reach the starting handle then? (Sorry - not helping I know)

[PhilD]

Isn't that what the wife is for?