This website is the copyright of Peter Hurley March 2009

First one hour lesson for £2.

Driving off

Starting the engine

Check that the handbrake is on;

after this check that the gear lever is in neutral.

The handbrake must be on when you check that the gear lever is in neutral because if the gear lever is put into neutral or the clutch is put down with the handbrake off the car could move.

The clutch should be down when you start the engine so the starter motor only has to turn the engine over and not the gearbox as well; if the engine is started for the first time on a cold morning with the clutch up it could overload the starter motor and battery.

To start the engine turn the ignition key all the way around for a second or two and the engine should start.  Do not push the accelerator down when starting a modern car because it is not necessary and neither good for the car or the environment.

Copy Right of Peter Hurley: 1996.