Do you have a routine to start your car?

"cazzyodo" (cazzyodo) 01/19/2015 at 14:23 • Filed to: None

2

31

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! raised the question of whether we could start a Model-T. That got me thinking about starting my own car.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

When you start the FoST (and other push button start MT vehicles, I'm sure) you have to have your foot on the clutch. This is annoying when clearing the car of snow and getting the windows defrosted (have to sit down to do it then get back out... -_- but I digress).

When I get to my car, I make a note on whether the cars next to me (if any) are the same ones as when I parked. If so, yay. If not, quick walk-around. Then it's sit, buckle, start, check mirrors, check seat position, turn on radio, go.

The walk around !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! this:

Any habits or routines out there or is it just start and go?

Alfalfa > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:33

1

Get in car, start. Think to myself, "is it so cold that I would be balls crazy to open the sunroof?"

If no, open sunroof and go.

If yes, turn the heat up high, open sunroof, and go.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:33

0

My process is almost identical, although seat warmers have been standard once it got cold here.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:33

3

1. Check for damage from other cars.
2. Sit.
3. Clutch.
4. Neutral.
5. Ignition.
6. Audible pleasure.
7. Buckle.
8. 1st
9.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:33

0

I've got two keys and a Q-jet CCC on my Cutlass. Here's how you start it.

1: use round key to unlock door

2: put square key in ignition and twist to on.

3: slowly pump the gas. 1 pump if the engine is cold but it's over 10 degrees C, 2 pumps 1-9, 3 pumps below 0.

4: start the car

5: let it warm up

6: slowly depress and let off throttle to disengage choke.

bingham123 > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:36

0

my old fiesta mk3 went as follows.

unlock doors, climb in through the boot and open drivers door.

key in, pump pedal, open bonnet, hit starter motor with stick, get back in and see if it starts, if not hit starter again.

once it starts try to keep revs above 1500rpm for a minute or two or it will die and then you have to hit the starter motor again.

once warmed up close bonnet, then pump clutch till you can crunch a gear and hope it will make it to where you need to go.

needless to say I refused to spend money on that heap and drove it into the ground. It was free off a friend. I hooned that p.o.s every day before i scraped it

Kate's Dirty Sister > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:38

0

That looks like my car, damn that suck, that big ass heated/illuminated/electrical mirror probably ain't cheap.

For my part it's mainly start and go, I know I look at the car by reflex and would most likely spot a flat tire or a broken mirror, but If I can't see the other side walking to the car, I won't go look.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:40

0

1. get in car

2. curse about how little gas I have in the tank and how I have no money to fill up the tank

3 turn key to start car

4 release parking brake

5 hopefully remember to turn on my lights (I always like to drive with my headlights on, even during the day, it makes other people able to see you).

6 buckle seat belt

7 shift to drive/reverse

8 PROFIT!!!

its usually this, but there are many variations.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:42

1

When you start the FoST (and other push button start MT vehicles, I'm sure) you have to have your foot on the clutch.

That's like every MT car built since ever. As far as my habits, I have two. In the BRZ, it's to immediately turn traction control, the sat-nav screen, and the compass in the mirror off. That shit's annoying, and I don't need it. The only habit I'm in with my AW11 apart from the start procedure is making sure that the frunk is closed all the way. It popped open on me a few times, and yeah. It's scary when the hood comes flying at your face at 60 mph. There's also taking the roof off because it has T-Tops, and if you're going to leave them on, why bother?

Takuro Spirit > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:47

0

Walk out to car.

Forget where I parked it in the sea of Camries.

Find badgeless green one on 5-spoke steelies. (ohthatsmine)

Unlock door with key (damn Cheap Edition without keyless)

Get in. Close door.

Push in clutch, start car, make sure its in neutral.

Turn on recirc because my exhaust leak.

Turn off automatic recording of dash camera because it defaults to the G sensor being set to 4g but really a bump in the road will lock a video file and soon the micro SD card is full and thats not good, turn off G sensor (takes like 3 seconds because I do it every time).

Buckle up.

Plug in phone/put in holder.

Put in gear and release parking brake.

Drive boringly.

Rico > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:50

0

Turn on, turn off TC.

Kidding!

I do what you do check to see if the same cars I parked next to are there if not check the front and rear bumpers. However I never have to adjust seat or mirror since I'm the only person using the car.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 14:55

0

For Safari:

Unlock door with round key, climb in, turn on lights (if needed,) fumble around with keychain to grab the square key, forcefully shove in ignition, start car, turn down radio, foot on brake, put in drive and go.

For Fusion:

Unlock with remote, open door, put seat all the way down and all the way back, get in, adjust rear view mirror, open switchblade key, put in ignition, start car, adjust side mirrors, foot on brake, car in reverse, realize I forgot to take electric park brake off, do that, go.

Stang70Fastback > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 01/19/2015 at 15:03

2

You forgot the step where you hug your car before you get in. You DO do that... It's not just me, right?

jariten1781 > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 15:05

0

The clutch interlock is required by regulation and has been at least since the 80s. It's the same reason autos require you to be in park (and, more recently, with the brake pressed) so you can't start the car in gear and have it surge away from you and run over a child or something.

I always do a quick peak behind the car to make sure there's no bike or something that'll be out of my sight when I back up. Get in, start, pull out phone and start audio book (and waze if the traffic is going to be a mess). Then I buckle up, adjust climate contol, positively check no warning lights have popped up and fast idle is starting to come down, then I go.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 15:06

0

Climb in, start it, turn on my lights, put on some music, and then go.

Nobi > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 15:07

0

For the GTO:
-unlock car with remote, if vehicle beeps when it gets unlocked, do a lap around to see why someone attempted to fuck with it.

-hop in

-buckle up

-start vehicle, let idle for a few minutes

-drive away

For the Civic:

-hop in (I don't even bother locking the car, it's such a POS)

-buckle up

-drive off

twochevrons > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 15:14

3

Heh, I was just thinking about this, too! My MGA has a wonderfully drawn-out starting procedure:

Open door by reaching inside and pulling the handle (there's no exterior handle, and the one on the inside is just a pull-cord). Slam the door shut, otherwise it will pop open as soon as you go around a corner. Alternatively, just jump in – the door is very low, and there's no roof.

Ensure that transmission is in neutral and parking brake applied. The parking brake ratchet works 'backwards' compared to most cars: to apply the brake, pull the lever up and then press the button while pushing the lever gently downward until it locks in place. To release, pull the lever up and then push it back down without touching the button.

Insert the (tiny) ignition key into the slot on the dashboard and turn key to the right.

Wait for the fuel pump to stop, indicating that the float bowls are full. This can take up to 30 seconds if the car hasn't been started for a while.

Pull cold-start enrichment control (marked 'C') all the way out and twist to lock. Technically it isn't a 'choke' – it doesn't add any restriction to the air-flow. Instead, it enlarges the (variable-size) jet, admitting more fuel.

Pull starter switch knob (marked 'S') while maintaining approximately ¼ throttle opening. Since the SU carburettors do not have accelerator pumps, it will take a few seconds of cranking before enough fuel is drawn through.

As soon as the engine fires, back the cold-start control off to around ½, using the throttle to keep the engine idling.

Repeat steps 5-7 because it almost invariably didn't keep running the first time that it fired.

After 30 or so seconds, gently come off the throttle and adjust the cold-start control so that it can hold an idle by itself.

Depress clutch and wait a couple of seconds for the gearbox to stop turning – first gear is straight-cut and non-synchromesh.

Release parking brake (lift the lever and push it back down without touching the button), and let the clutch out. Don't worry about stalling it – the super-low first gear, tractor-like torque profile and light weight mean that it's nigh-on impossible.

Don't forget to push the cold-start control back in after a few minutes of driving, otherwise you'll foul the plugs.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Stang70Fastback 01/19/2015 at 15:16

0

Nah, I just blow her a kiss. Don't wanna risk scratching the paint with my belt or a button on my shirt. ;)

revrseat70 > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 15:24

0

Subaru STi: Examine car (for any damage and for pleasure) and soak it in, open door, leave door open (if it's not too cold) and sit in, pull out of first and into neutral, turn on auxiliaries without clutch in, listen for pump to prime, clutch in, start, listen and enjoy for a couple seconds (sometimes I check tire pressure now), close door, buckle seat belt, check mirrors, set Diff depending on conditions (go-to is Auto (-)), then check seat heaters and climate control/windows, by now the idle has settled, I pump the brakes twice and turn the wheel side to side, turn on lights if dark, release E-brake if previously engaged, clutch in, engage first and leave parking lot/neighborhood in I or S mode, then before entering on-ramp or turning onto interesting road select S# and HOOOOON

Cé hé sin > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/19/2015 at 15:28

0

"That's like every MT car built since ever"

No, it's a recent thing and I don't think it's universal yet (although it might be a requirement in America, because Americans and manual boxes).

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Cé hé sin 01/19/2015 at 15:33

0

It's not a recent thing here (America). I've never seen a manual that didn't require that you use the clutch. So what happens if you try to start it in first? Does the starter break or just fail to do anything?

Cé hé sin > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/19/2015 at 15:38

0

No, the starter will move the car. If your clutch cable broke you could (if you didn't have an interlock) start the car in gear to get you going. Having so done you could with practice change gear without the clutch too.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Cé hé sin 01/19/2015 at 15:41

0

Lol, so when I was in Europe a few years ago, I was using the clutch on startup for no reason.

Cé hé sin > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/19/2015 at 15:45

0

Not necessarily, some cars have them (my father's Focus being one). It's not a legal requirement in the US but all makers voluntarily agreed to fit them.

Stang70Fastback > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 01/19/2015 at 15:47

0

Oh I lay the "hug blanket" out first that I keep in the trunk. It's actually a separate 5 step process to hug the car.

cazzyodo > Cé hé sin 01/19/2015 at 15:52

0

Good conversation here. Admittedly, I didn't know when they started to require it but I did liken it to holding brake for automatics. I really included that part because I know there are some Opponauts with interesting vehicles out there!

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 15:54

0

For 914:

Pop hood, check oil, get in "ClutCHHHH", neutral, turn acc prime fuel pump, repeat 3 more times, start. wait 5-10mins to warm up. remove roof, drive

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 16:32

0

Elgrand:

-Open doors (keyless entry)

-Press foot brake (no hand brake, handbrake operated by foot)

-Press brake

-Start

-Put it in drive

-That's it.

LS400:

-Open the central locking

-open doors

-key in

-turn electrics

-press the handbrake (E-Brake like those on newer cars)

-start it up

-put it in drive

-that's it.

Ferrero1911 > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 17:59

0

1. Inspect car

2. Unlock with key fob

3. Get in

4. Buckle seat belt

5. Clutch in, start the car

6. Release parking brake

7. Try to shift into reverse

8. Take my foot off the clutch to see if the car rolls

9. Try reverse again

10. Put it in first and roll forward a few inches

11. Try reverse again

12. Back out of parking space

My car has had a problem going into reverse since I got it. It's most annoying when I know I have to make a 3 point turn. The chances I'll get stuck in the middle of the road are pretty good. Also, I used to put my seatbelt on after I started the car, but the really annoying noise the car makes if you don't have it buckled before start up has broken me of that habit.

Axial > cazzyodo 01/19/2015 at 21:19

0

My routine:

Walk around once

Open door, careful not to hit other cars

Right foot in foot-well, duck in, and sit.

Swing left foot in

Strap in

Gloves on

Tilt wheel into driving position

Key into ignition

Valet key to "FULL POWER"

Turn ignition to first detent, wait for fuel pump to finish

Start car

Shut door, disengage parking brake

Sunglasses

Drive

blackchair > cazzyodo 01/21/2015 at 10:40

0

I think you're missing something.

blackchair > cazzyodo 01/21/2015 at 10:43

0

Walk up to my car.
Check for door dings/low tires
Unlock with proximity key
Get in and sit down
Clutch/brake
Push button ignition
Neutral
Off clutch
Seat belt
Look around/check mirrors
Wiggle stick shift
Clutch
First
Go!