Clutch and Golf TSI. Why?

paultf

Silly question here as I don't know much about cars.

Have a new Golf 1.2 TSI. Why have VW designed the car such that when turning the ignition/starting the car I have to put my foot on the clutch at the same time?

pajero12

A safety feature to stop you starting it in gear?

mickdw

Its good driving practice anyway to press clutch when starting any car.
Its a useful safety feature too. Will stop people starting the car in gear and will stop kids causing an accident if anyone was foolish enough to leave kid in car unattended together with keys.
So why wouldnt vw design it that way?

Alanstrainor

I'd always start a car with my foot on the clutch anyway. It's just good practise.

andyseadog

my car does this too, mines old, japanese and insecure, i like it because you never see people try to hotwire a car with their foot on the clutch the whole time

Timmyboy

Same on a Toyota Yaris that my parents have.

Nonoperational

Bloody VAGs. Useless.

dingding

Also easier on the starter motor as you are not turning part of the gearbox.

PaulKK

gpf101 wrote: »

Bloody VAGs. Useless.

-Corkie-

PaulKK wrote: »

Your sarcasm radar must be down today Paul!!!. It would be like you saying useless Bimmers, which would be a true statment....:p:pac:

pajo1981

In the manual belonging to an old car I had (which would start without the clutch begin pressed) it advised to start the car with the clutch pressed as it was easier on the starter.

I'd imagine it's also a safety feature, to prevent you starting in gear.

Mr Benevolent

I once saw a guy parking a Focus only using the starter. Reverse and everything

Leonard Hofstadter

Lots of cars have that feature these days, to be honest it's good practice even when in neutral to depress the clutch when starting the car.

blackdog2

gpf101 wrote: »

Bloody VAGs. Useless.

The Mrs must be on the rag again

R.O.R

Got really confused with a Pathfinder earlier this year. Came close to just leaving the bloody thing outside as I couldn't get the damn thing to start.

Had to have your foot on the brake (in a manual) before that would start.

sentient_6

Was renting an aul Getz abroad & there'd be a whole load of problems storting stuff out in the office so by the time i got to the car i was a bit annoyed. Thought the feckn thing was shagged then when it wouldn't start so i storm back to the office ready to give out stink only to be to be told to start it with the clutch in, had to leave with the tail between the legs.

Thought it was a bit stupid at the time though, is it just idiot proofing the car? Part of my rountine starting my car home is making sure its in neutral but i leave the clutch out/engaged. Are there are mechanical benefits to having the foot on the clutch as well as neutral or is it purely good practise from a safety standpoint?

TestTransmission

paultf wrote: »

Silly question here as I don't know much about cars.

Have a new Golf 1.2 TSI. Why have VW designed the car such that when turning the ignition/starting the car I have to put my foot on the clutch at the same time?

my 8 year old Honda has this feature...

-Chris-

sentient_6 wrote: »

Are there are mechanical benefits to having the foot on the clutch as well as neutral or is it purely good practise from a safety standpoint?

This:

dingding wrote: »

Also easier on the starter motor as you are not turning part of the gearbox.

R.O.R

TestTransmission wrote: »

my 8 year old Honda has this feature...

That's unusual as I don't have to have the clutch in on mine - must be because your's is the fancy version and mine's just a poor mans Accord