Comments on: An interlock example

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:29:13 +0000

Not all US cars have it…

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-life/cheney/globe-journalists-son-crashes-180000-porsche/article1574334/

I was always taught to automatically press the clutch regardless of the gear position as it reduces drag on the cold gearbox and more chance of the engine starting -mindyou I have always had old cars. It is all part of driving technique – along with checking the mirrors – before pulling out in front of a lorry!

There are a number of times it is useful to start in gear –
If the clutch release mechanism fails – you can successfully start the car and get home… If the clutch sticks on from lack if use it can freed in a similar method, and if the engine won’t start the car can be succesfuly moved off the road using the starter.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 19:10:52 +0000

I’ve driven older manual shift cars in the US that had no such requirement. Starting the car in gear with the clutch up resulted in wild bucking. I now drive a 2001 Kia, and it requires the clutch to be depressed before the car will start.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 05:22:15 +0000

Thanks Lindsay! Much appreciated. I guess little differences like that are the kind of thing that rarely gets mentioned, as everyone assumes that it’s like that for everyone else. It’s a good example though to introduce the idea of an ‘interlock’ through something people are familiar with every day.

By: lindsay

lindsay — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 04:21:24 +0000

I can confirm that in both the US and Canada, you must push the clutch all the way down to the ground before you can start the motor. I feel a little naive after reading this post, because although I’ve been to the UK before, I’ve never driven there and it’s never even crossed my mind that one wouldn’t have to do that!

By: Jack Yan

Jack Yan — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 13:58:57 +0000

Part of me is glad that Nanjing has the car, since I was unimpressed with Shanghai’s bullying tactics. After all, they already have the MG TF and numerous other designs. But you are right: the SV is unlikely to return, even if Sport & Racing itself was making a bit of money for the troubled MG Rover Group.