Can I start the engine without pressing the clutch?!!

[will_0407]

As the title says really!

It bugs me that on a cold day for example, when I want to start the engine to let it warm up a bit (and let my seats warm up a bit) that I have to get in and press the clutch to start the engine.

Is there a way to disable this feature? Didn't have to do that in my 2012 mk2 leon, could just stick the key in the ignition and fire it up.

2014 184FR if that's any relevance

 

[G17RY]

Two reasons why you shouldn't want to do this. 1. You save the engine and starter motor from additional wear and tear of not having additional load and 2. If you're not in your car on a cold morning, then you might not have your car very long as some chancer will jump in and nick it! This happened to an Audi round the corner from me a few weeks ago.


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[DEAN0]

Two reasons why you shouldn't want to do this. 1. You save the engine and starter motor from additional wear and tear of not having additional load and 2. If you're not in your car on a cold morning, then you might not have your car very long as some chancer will jump in and nick it! This happened to an Audi round the corner from me a few weeks ago.


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You can probably disable is through VCDS but I am with G17RY here - I think it is a benefit.

 

[bobajob69]

I've played with the vcds and haven't seen this option. I think it would be good to remove this though also, I always like to start the car and let the oil circulate, not take off straight away. Changing this would save me getting in, starting, then getting out to load up the car (dog, etc).
Pretty sure with start/stop my engine restarts when the clutch isn't fully depressed (still in neutral) so don't think it's a load issue. Will check next time..

 

[G17RY]

I've played with the vcds and haven't seen this option. I think it would be good to remove this though also, I always like to start the car and let the oil circulate, not take off straight away. Changing this would save me getting in, starting, then getting out to load up the car (dog, etc).
Pretty sure with start/stop my engine restarts when the clutch isn't fully depressed (still in neutral) so don't think it's a load issue. Will check next time..

The reason your engine restarts when it senses car is moving is one of safety (worth noting you are also not considered to be in full control of the vehicle if vehicle in neutral and moving). The engine needs to run in order for the brake servo to work, and this is considered a priority over engine wear/tear. Hence the "normal" way to resume engine from stop is to depress clutch.

Another point is that if your car gets nicked with the key because you started it and left it unoccupied, your insurance will be annulled. Costly mistake. If you happen to leave it running on a public road you also risk prosecution (in UK).

I've always started my engine with foot on the clutch, for over 20 years. So didn't come as a surprise when they started to implement this logic for starting a car.

PS I hope you have a big dog, and no cage, in which case you're probably okay ;-)


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[bobajob69]

Semi big (border collie, hence the ST) but she has hip dysplasia so needs lifting in and out :-(

Yeah, always started with foot on the clutch except when loading up. Mrs would also jump in passenger seat and lean over and start with the key whilst I was still sorting my life out.... Can't do that with this car.... Means we just sit there for a bit whilst she warms up a little (the car)

Still don't see why that if stationary with the handbrake on the car won't wait until clutch has been fully pressed before restarting, she's an FR so perhaps shes just eager ;-)

 

[page3]

Same with the DSG - the brake needs to be pressed before the car will start, which is an unnecessary pain.

With my Audi I can simple turn the key to start, then get on with demisting etc.

 

[Dr.Dash]

One more reason not to do this...

....I always like to start the car and let the oil circulate, not take off straight away...

Idling will significantly extend the warm up period compared to gentle driving, which is a high wear scenario for your engine, so you're not doing the engine any favours.

Fitting an oil pre-heater is the optimal solution for cold environments.

 

[thefunkygibbon]

i've no idea what peoples beef is with this. what is the problem with pressing the clutch in when starting the engine?? it ensures that you're not going to burst forward if you've left it in gear and not noticed.

once you've put the clutch in, take the clutch out again. where is the issue? i think you guys are just moaning for the sake of moaning. it really is a non-issue. you don't HAVE to drive off straight away.

at least i've never had any issues with it on my 64 plate cupra 280.

 

[andrewpain]

Semi big (border collie, hence the ST) but she has hip dysplasia so needs lifting in and out :-(

Yeah, always started with foot on the clutch except when loading up. Mrs would also jump in passenger seat and lean over and start with the key whilst I was still sorting my life out.... Can't do that with this car.... Means we just sit there for a bit whilst she warms up a little (the car)

Still don't see why that if stationary with the handbrake on the car won't wait until clutch has been fully pressed before restarting, she's an FR so perhaps shes just eager ;-)

seen the long-term leon ST update in last month's Top Gear?
Only complaint was the ski flap in rear seat is too big. Reviewers dog gets through to lick his neck when he buys chicken nuggets.
Says volumes for the car. Not sure about his dog, though...

 

[CRNeo]

i've no idea what peoples beef is with this. what is the problem with pressing the clutch in when starting the engine?? it ensures that you're not going to burst forward if you've left it in gear and not noticed.

once you've put the clutch in, take the clutch out again. where is the issue? i think you guys are just moaning for the sake of moaning. it really is a non-issue. you don't HAVE to drive off straight away.

at least i've never had any issues with it on my 64 plate cupra 280.

I'm with you tbh... not sure I get the big deal.

Doesn't bother me as I've always started cars with clutch depressed anyway in case car is in gear and/or I've forgotten to take it out of gear.

 

[weirdkerr]

seen the long-term leon ST update in last month's Top Gear?
Only complaint was the ski flap in rear seat is too big. Reviewers dog gets through to lick his neck when he buys chicken nuggets.
Says volumes for the car. Not sure about his dog, though...

Top gear deserve all they get so that dog is a hero in my book.... though not as good as heroes that are commemorated by the cenotaph.. if you get my drift

 

[bobajob69]

seen the long-term leon ST update in last month's Top Gear?
Only complaint was the ski flap in rear seat is too big. Reviewers dog gets through to lick his neck when he buys chicken nuggets.
Says volumes for the car. Not sure about his dog, though...

not seen that.... It's a good window for the Mrs to see the dog on longer journeys. The dogs well behaved so doesn't get through, it is rather large though and she could probably fit.....

can the ski flap be too big? as long as it doesn't interrupt passengers either side... my mum always used to say the bigger the better.....

 

[Love-Cupra]

Starting

i've no idea what peoples beef is with this. what is the problem with pressing the clutch in when starting the engine?? it ensures that you're not going to burst forward if you've left it in gear and not noticed.

once you've put the clutch in, take the clutch out again. where is the issue? i think you guys are just moaning for the sake of moaning. it really is a non-issue. you don't HAVE to drive off straight away.

at least i've never had any issues with it on my 64 plate cupra 280.

Stumbled on this older thread:

IMHO this is now worldwide the standard with thanks to the US-regulations.
Any new US car must be fitted with this, so to avoid any problem(claims) just all cars will be fitted with it and with the Manufacterer's advantage of only one single system needed.

Can see the safety issue on the DSG fitted cars, iro dog/child moving about in the car when parked or being loaded-up.

Surprised it has not been reported, from this angle.....

 

[exmgman]

I can live with the clutch issue. What bugs me is the Stop/start - feature having to press the button each time to disable this.
I enquired with the service manager at it's first service if this could be disabled - No was the reply. I asked if the starter/ring gear had been uprated to cope with this feature - No.
I suggested that enable that the starter ring gear would probably last until after the warranty ran out then fail - can you image the cost of a starter/ flywheel and fitting!
Then there is the small delay in moving off in tight traffic. Holding the clutch down will only promote wear in the clutch thrust release bearing again expensive repair.
The Service manager then admitted that he always disabled this feature by pressing the button on start up on his car.
Maybe shorting the switch out may do it. However some things seem to need a defined signal to the computer to operate.
What/where is the sensor for the clutch being depressed?

 

[thefunkygibbon]

again, a non-issue imo. whenever stop/start worked (which in fairness is not often for some reason) the engine starts immediatly and i've never had any such delay in pulling away. unless you're planning on racing someone I can't personally see why this, lets call it what it is, minute, delay, would be an issue.

as for the clutch being worn... it is no different to one extra gear change when going on your journey.. or if you take that opportunity to actually put the car into gear whilst you turn the engine on and have the clutch held in, then that equates to actually being no difference whatsoever.

 

[Love-Cupra]

Same.....

I can live with the clutch issue. What bugs me is the Stop/start - feature having to press the button each time to disable this.
I enquired with the service manager at it's first service if this could be disabled - No was the reply. I asked if the starter/ring gear had been uprated to cope with this feature - No.
I suggested that enable that the starter ring gear would probably last until after the warranty ran out then fail - can you image the cost of a starter/ flywheel and fitting!
Then there is the small delay in moving off in tight traffic. Holding the clutch down will only promote wear in the clutch thrust release bearing again expensive repair.
The Service manager then admitted that he always disabled this feature by pressing the button on start up on his car.
Maybe shorting the switch out may do it. However some things seem to need a defined signal to the computer to operate.
What/where is the sensor for the clutch being depressed?

We need to believe the start/stop will last and last.
Realistic, or not ? However these sytems are designed from scratch to perform like this.
The Leon has a 2nd small battery, re-genareted energy, for this purpose.
Can agree one does need to get used to it, and one can NOT be in a hurry.
So with a lot of -anticipated- stops or raffic lights I swich of altogether(and tend to forget).

Can not be removed, same actually as my prev, for regulations will prevent this.
This 1 or 2% saving is calculated for NCap, so also M.O.T. will use this figure.

Have You tried to get to neutral and release the clutch ?
I find this a more "relaxed"way.

 

[DEAN0]

I can live with the clutch issue. What bugs me is the Stop/start - feature having to press the button each time to disable this.
I enquired with the service manager at it's first service if this could be disabled - No was the reply. I asked if the starter/ring gear had been uprated to cope with this feature - No.
I suggested that enable that the starter ring gear would probably last until after the warranty ran out then fail - can you image the cost of a starter/ flywheel and fitting!
Then there is the small delay in moving off in tight traffic. Holding the clutch down will only promote wear in the clutch thrust release bearing again expensive repair.
The Service manager then admitted that he always disabled this feature by pressing the button on start up on his car.
Maybe shorting the switch out may do it. However some things seem to need a defined signal to the computer to operate.
What/where is the sensor for the clutch being depressed?

If you know someone with or you have VCDS - the stop start can be disabled.
You just give it a parameter that it can never meet in normal use and it never activates.
The two usual ones are battery voltage and inside to outside temp difference.
Mine has been deactivated since the day I bought it - I hate stop/start with a vengeance.

 

[Mk1Cortina1964]

Yes, that battery voltage point is true!
My wife's Stop/Start on her little Fiat 500 run-around thankfully stopped working after we changed the battery and fitted a cheap one with less power. Apparently it needs the power of the original rated battery to supply enough oomph to work the Stop/Start, so we solved that annoying feature at a stroke, and it is now operates like the original Fiat 500 did all those decades ago!