In any case, for future reference always depress the clutch pedal anyway when starting the engine. As Timbo says, it relieves the starter of the extra load of turning the gearbox too.
Please ignore the irrelevant answers from the stray Americans . . . .
No, it wouldn't cause any damage.
But I would check if this vehicle is supposed to have a clutch lock-out switch. Many modern cars with standards won't let you engage the starter unless you have the clutch pedal depressed. That may be broken. If this vehicle does not have it, Stuart still raises a good habit...always fully depress the clutch pedal first.
No that would not have damaged anything. I doubt that there is a car on the road that has not had something like that happen at times. (if that would cause any damage Driving School Cars would last about a day)
No, it won't have done any damage.
Good tip....ALWAYS start engine with foot on clutch !
edit - original question refers to UK.
Not American cars !
Wish I knew make and model. American cars built since mid 70's had a clutch/neutral safety switch. It should not crank over in gear.
cars take a lot of abuse so dont worry, more harm would be done by over reving the engine not to mention petrol wastage.
You would not want to do that lots of times but once or twice like that is absolutely nothing to be concerned about
Future - always hold the clutch pedal down when starting a car. It is much kinder to the battery as it does not have to turn the gearbox over as well as the engine and as you have already found it is much safer too
The car's starter motor should not have operated while the transmission was in gear. The neutral safety switch is not functioning.
No, it can't cause any damage.
Hello
I was looking to purchase a car but when I sat inside it, Someone left the car in 4th gear which I did not know so started the engine and the car jumped(stalled) without my foot depress on the clutch so I turned it off and then re-start the engine and it jumped again(stalled) , I then noticed the car was actually in 4th gear and not in neutral.
When the car stalled twice the car bounced twice and I am worried if this has already cause damage to the car,components or the gearbox/engine
I am interested in purchasing this car
sorry I was viewing a car which I thought the car was in neutral but the sales person who drove it left it in 4th gear so I started the engine without pressing my foot on the clutch.
