When you start your car, clutch in/out- what gear?

[scoutll]

Oops, double clutched.

 

[vagt6]

This is a very minor objection to the "clutch out, gear in neutral" stance, and maybe hardly worth mentioning when driving a car, however . . .

In motorcycle safety awareness training, we instruct folks to NEVER leave the gear in neutral or the clutch lever out when stopped in traffic. The reason is, when the bike's in neutral, <span style="font-style: italic">you can't move</span>!

On a motorcycle, especially when in traffic and stopped, you must have an escape route in case someone's going to crash into you: front wheel pointed toward the "escape" route direction; transmission in first gear; hand ready on the throttle; clutch lever in, ready to go (all the while closely watching your mirrors and everything around you).

Same concept *<span style="font-style: italic">may</span>* apply to a very small car/LBC in traffic. Again, if your car's in neutral at a light or in heavy traffic, you can't get out of the way as quickly.

Again, keeping your car in gear and ready when stopped may or may not be a lifesaver, but on a motorcycle it's a no-brainer and an important safety practice that can and will save your bacon.

FYI, YMMV.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Once again, not motorcycles. I used to ride scoots, have an unlimited M/C endorsement, still, on my license.

I've been inside a whole lot of motorcycle engines, Triumph, BSA, HD, Yamaha, Honda, Kamikazie, and those seem to handle clutch disengagement pressure with no problem.
However, if you want to be changing out thrusts, take the chance of a thrust dropping out and damaging the block and crank, and eating presure plate release arms and T/O bearings, well, if you've got the time and the money, go ahead, hold it in at stop lights.

Doesn't bother me.

And if you're sitting at a stoplight, and you hear skidding tyres, don't even think about "getting out of the way", because sure as the sun rises over DC, YOU will end up faulted for the major accident as you wil have entered the intersection on a red.

Used to be on M/C, you knew where everything was, coming or going, but with the full-surround helmets, you most of the time don't have a clue for the 270 degrees or so behind your field of vision.

 

[vagt6]

TOC, sounds as if you could have benefitted from a motorcycle safety course! :lol:

 

[Hap Waldrop]

TOC, sounds as if you could have benefitted from a motorcycle safety course! :lol:

But one could also say you could benefit from a clutch/throw out bearing/thrust washer survival course

 

[vagt6]

Like I posted in my first post, "maybe not worth mentioning".

Holy moly . . .

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Yeah, maybe not.

 

[vagt6]

Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone.

Being in the business of safety, I tend to think beyond the horizon when it comes to avoiding accidents.

Back to my hole now . . . :lol: