Clutch position to start?

**Gwynmawr** · 16-11-2013,05:47 PM

Hi,

Any other manual A6 owners out there... If so, how far down do you need to press clutch to start the car?

mine has to be all the way down, ie on the floor, even 1" off the floor and car won't start.

Would be interested in others, as this seems very low compared to clutch bite position.

thanks.

**johnsimcox** · 16-11-2013,06:05 PM

Haven't ever thought about it. I simply always push the pedal right to the floor whether I am starting a car that requires the clutch pedal depressed to start it or not. The lock out position for the clutch pedal to allow the car to start is completely unrelated to the biting point. One is a mechanical switch and the other is the relationship between the two friction surfaces which will vary as the plates wear over time. I'll have a play next time I am out as to whether the car will start with pedal anything other than flat on the floor

**zollaf** · 16-11-2013,06:23 PM

when you push the clutch down you are putting a lot of pressure on the crank, literally pushing it forwards. this movement is stopped by the crankshaft thrust washers. this is why i never put the clutch down when i start a car as i don't like that extra wear on thrust washers without a good supply of oil on them.

**johnsimcox** · 16-11-2013,07:07 PM

I guess there are various schools of thought on this. I have always (in 35+ years of driving) started the car with the clutch pressed for two reasons, one it means if the car is in. Gear then you won't move when trying to start the car and second you are not putting stress on the starter by trying to turn parts of the gearbox in cold oil when starting the car. I have never had a clutch replaced in any of the cars I have owned so cannot concur with the thrust bearing argument

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**zollaf** · 16-11-2013,07:15 PM

not thrust bearing, crank thrust washers.
when i start a car, i know it is in neutral.

**Passatier3** · 16-11-2013,11:04 PM

Doesn't sound like you have a choice with the A6 though? My motorbikes are the same, requiring the clutch to be pulled in when starting, a safety feature I guess.

With cars I've also been of the school, since I began driving over 40 years ago, of depressing the clutch when starting.

**Malpas1973** · 16-11-2013,11:30 PM

And the obvious answer is to have an automatic. In such a big car it's a must in my opinion.

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

**Gwynmawr** · 17-11-2013,11:08 AM

Thanks all for the replies - Malpas1973 - yes agree, but divorce if I said to wife I wanted to change again would be too costly :-)

What I was getting at is the clutch doesn't just have to be down to start, it has to be BURIED into the floor. If I even let it up an inch it won't start, or sometimes cuts out mid start if I let the pressure off.

Just wondered if others were the same, or if mine may need adjustment next time I'm in dealer.

Thanks