Is it better to push the clutch in when starting the truck?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Burnt Clutch, Jan 20, 2024.

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  1. Oxbow

    Oxbow Road Train Member

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    Good analogy.

    With modern engines and oil, in mild or warm temperatures it probably makes almost no difference.

    I end up leaving the truck on a project occasionally. No power for block heater, hasn't been started in a week, 10 below temperature, do you think I'll push the clutch in when trying to start it? #### betcha I will.
     
    Oxbow, Jan 20, 2024
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  2. Crude Truckin'

    Crude Truckin' Alien Spacecraft

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    Clearly some people haven’t had the pleasure of starting a truck in extreme sub zero temperatures. In older equipment or something that still has conventional gear lube in the transmission, you’ll notice the difference between clutch engaged/released. And I want to have the engine spinning as fast as possible and give it every chance it can get to start.
     
    Crude Truckin', Jan 20, 2024
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  3. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    Today I learn u can start a truck without pushing in the clutch. I always push in the clutch, all these time wasted
     
    w.h.o, Jan 20, 2024
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  4. Born2win

    Born2win Light Load Member

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    I had a fleet owner see me start my/ his truck no clutch and he said never start without clutch. He knew his stuff. So I always did. Then another fleet owner saw me start my/ his truck with clutch. He said please never do that again. Both of these guys know trucking way more then most. So.... here I am, who the f knows
     
    Born2win, Jan 20, 2024
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  5. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    I thought you had a Auto restriction on your CDL
     
    Last Call, Jan 20, 2024
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  6. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    Nope, when I got my CDL, autos didn't exist...I personally dislike autos and dread the day manuals are obsolete.
     
    supersnackbar, Jan 20, 2024
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  7. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Autos have been around since at least the 80s. Probably earlier
     
    snowwy, Jan 20, 2024
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  8. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    Nothing like the crap they have today. The 1st one I remember that I ever saw was the Super-10 Top 2...then they progressed to a 3 pedal where you took off and stopped with the clutch but the truck did the shifting.
     
    supersnackbar, Jan 20, 2024
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  9. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    The autos are better than ever, they are far from crap. (I'm running an Ultrashift 13.) The biggest issues with the autos are the pencil pushers in the office who lock out most of the functionality becauses few, if any, of their seat meat should actually be qualified as a driver.
     
    Hammer166, Jan 20, 2024
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  10. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    My biggest gripe with autos is I haven't moved one around that wasn't absolute dog#### when it came to being smooth at slow speeds. I smashed a kingpin so hard one time I'm amazed it didn't break something. They shift fine but I'd pass 100% on one if it was my money just because the slow speed precision just isn't there.
     
    AModelCat, Jan 20, 2024
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