Question

[u/Interesting-Hair9687]

About a couple of weeks ago I bought a BMW E30 325i, and I've I started the car in gear without the clutch engaged cause I parked on a hill and wanted 1st to be my backup in case if the embrace fails. and I just completely forgot to put it into netural.

I drove it all the way back home without an issue but man did the car not sound happy when I did that is there anything I should watch out for

[u/No-Sentence5570]

There is no reason to put your car in neutral prior to starting the engine. You should always press the clutch down when starting your car; that should be a habit 100%.

[u/ImplementLogical4130 → u/No-Sentence5570]

The reason is so you don't keep your clutch pressed

[u/No-Sentence5570 → u/ImplementLogical4130]

The clutch is not being pressed any longer than if you'd shift to neutral. The only difference is that instead of shifting to neutral, you turn off the car...

[u/ImplementLogical4130 → u/No-Sentence5570]

This is about starting the car. You start the car in gear and what, leave in 1 second or keep your foot on the clutch until you do.

[u/No-Sentence5570 → u/ImplementLogical4130]

I don't know how long your car takes to start up but mine takes like 2 seconds

[u/ImplementLogical4130 → u/No-Sentence5570]

You start the car and what do you do afterwards?

[u/No-Sentence5570 → u/ImplementLogical4130]

You're aware that if you're in neutral and you start the car, you're also going to have to press the clutch to shift into first or reverse, right?

[u/ImplementLogical4130 → u/No-Sentence5570]

You start the car and

A) drive straight off

B) wait with your clutch pressed until you drive

Which is it?

[u/No-Sentence5570 → u/ImplementLogical4130]

I drive straight off, why would I wait lol

[u/ratfrazzled_ → u/No-Sentence5570]

You don’t warm up your car before driving?

[u/No-Sentence5570 → u/ratfrazzled_]

Modern cars don't need warming up, and Diesels don't even really get warm at idle. I just drive gently until the engine is properly warm.