To bump or key start?

[HilseeJ]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Why not mount it with velcro, take it off the dashboard when you do a delivery and have a separate velcro mounting spot under the dash somewhere out of sight? You wouldn't even need to unplug it probably.

The sticky side of the velcro melts in the heat due to my being located in the south.

However, I'm sure there's a way to engineer something similar...

Any other ideas?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by HilseeJ

Any other ideas?

Would a small magnet somewhere on the back of the gauge wreck the electronics? You could use the UG's stock window-mounting bracket for your regular usage and then use the magnet to "attach" it somewhere out of sight when you make a delivery.

[PaleMelanesian]

My velcro is still mostly stuck after 5 years. We deal with a little bit of summer heat here. I use a windshield visor whenever it's >90F, which helps a lot.

[HilseeJ]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Would a small magnet somewhere on the back of the gauge wreck the electronics? You could use the UG's stock window-mounting bracket for your regular usage and then use the magnet to "attach" it somewhere out of sight when you make a delivery.

Well I didn't really feel like justifying buying a whole new scangauge and mounting kit. However, I sold my brother my old one for $40 and now he's willing to give it back.

Thanks for the input. I will be using your idea only instead of mounting it in Hal hidden location I'll just put it on the floor outta site.

[Brad9660]

I always bump start unless I know I will be coasting up to a red light, where I will sit with the engine off. If you pay attention to what is going on, and have the car in gear with the clutch already depressed, and hand on the key, there is not really any delay, as stated earlier. Most of the time, if I am the first car stopped at a light, I have my car started and moving before the person next to me realizes the light turned green, and it is not very hard to time the start by watching the cars in front of you as they begin to take off. As far as clutch and starter wear practicing these techniques, I personally don't worry about it. The original starter on my car lasted for 16 years, even if that amount of time got cut in half with the new starter, it's still easy to replace, and only cost $90 dollars, the fuel saving would still make it well worth it for me. The wear on the clutch I think is pretty minimal also, when I bump start it, I let the clutch pedal out to the point where it just starts to grab, then I depress the pedal, I do this very fast, and it smoothly starts the car, then I tap the throttle to match the engine RPM, given the speed I am traveling, and the gear being used, to smoothly get back into gear and drive on. Also just to share some insight on how long a clutch can last, mine is original and has 155,000 miles on it, I keep thinking it won't last much longer, but it is still functioning just fine. Back when I first got my car I drove the s**t out of it to, regularly dumping the clutch at high RPM, and being pretty rough on it with downshifts. So at least in my experience, it will take a fair amount of abuse to wear out a clutch.

[PaleMelanesian]

^ yes, yes, yes, yes. I could have written that post. Just change it to 195,000 miles.

[p38fln]

I tried turning my truck off approaching lights, it has electric power steering and the steering doesn't turn off with the engine - there's a 3-5 second delay where the power assist still works, then it just dies with no warning. Wasn't really expecting that! I thought the wheel had locked on me the first time it happened, it was very sudden and was considerably delayed from when the engine shut off.

There's also about a 5 second delay when the engine starts (if its warm) before the turbocharger is allowed to assist - I've tried starting it, putting it in D, and taking off immediately and rich, black smoke spews from the tailpipe like an old diesel (and it has no power).

I absolutely turn it off for trains! Hate those things. And drive thru windows. Still working on the right thing to do at lights with it.

It's an automatic with the auto-manual "SelectShift" that Ford is touting as the new "Manual" gear shift

[GRU]

It's recomended not to shut off the engine on auto transmisions when the car is in motion. I curently drive a Civic with Auto trans and just coast in neutral with engine on

[PaleMelanesian]

Check your manual's instructions on towing. I think you'll find it's ok below 35 mph on a Honda automatic.