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RedDevil · 06-19-2013, 05:16 PM

The art of clutch starting has 2 focus points; use top gear, and engage briskly, but not violently.
Top gear means the speed difference between the clutch plates is lowest, so that is easier on them.
By brisk engage I mean that you have to release the pedal enough to make the engine spin up.
It does no good to release it very gently, slightly rubbing the plates while the engine still does not turn over. But once the engine is turning over, it will quickly attain the revs for the gear.
The trick is to immediately release the clutch pedal just enough to make the engine spin up. That keeps the wear low and the start fluently.

My Insight has auto- stop and pure electric drive on (semi) coast so I'm gradually losing my edge on this art form

06-19-2013, 05:16 PM	#19 (permalink)
RedDevil Master EcoWalker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands Posts: 3,999 Red Devil - '11 Honda Insight Elegance Team Honda 90 day: 52.82 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,714 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,455 Posts	The art of clutch starting has 2 focus points; use top gear, and engage briskly, but not violently. Top gear means the speed difference between the clutch plates is lowest, so that is easier on them. By brisk engage I mean that you have to release the pedal enough to make the engine spin up. It does no good to release it very gently, slightly rubbing the plates while the engine still does not turn over. But once the engine is turning over, it will quickly attain the revs for the gear. The trick is to immediately release the clutch pedal just enough to make the engine spin up. That keeps the wear low and the start fluently. My Insight has auto- stop and pure electric drive on (semi) coast so I'm gradually losing my edge on this art form __________________ 2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut. lifetime FE over 0.2 Gmeter or 0.13 Mmile. For confirmation go to people just like you. For education go to people unlike yourself.