fan/radio off when starting up?

wolfehouse

i'm trying to get some better practices into my routine.

is there any advantage/disadvantage of shutting off the radio and fan when parking up and then restarting after you start the ignition
or does it not make a difference?

Wig

With a good battery makes no difference, but I usually have batteries a few years old, so I am already into the habit of shutting off everything electrical when I exit or enter the car prior to starting, I also dip the clutch whilst starting and if I had A/C that would be switched off aswell.

johnnyroper

cannot see any point in making sure everything is off before switching back on myself,if you just get in and start up then it will be running before anything really gets up and running.
if your battery is in the sort of condition that requires things to be turned off before starting up then you need a new battery.
as for the A/C being switched off you will find it will not run anyway until the engine is running so no need to turn off to start and then back on when running.

benham3160

Yeah, as said if you're at this stage, time for a new battery.

When you engage the "Start" position on the key, all the accessories are temporily cut off anyway, hence the radio will cut out and come back on again when you start the car.

Regards,
Andy

vikingaero

Wig wrote: »

With a good battery makes no difference, but I usually have batteries a few years old, so I am already into the habit of shutting off everything electrical when I exit or enter the car prior to starting, I also dip the clutch whilst starting and if I had A/C that would be switched off aswell.

I too dip the clutch when starting - basic safety in case the car is in gear and also basic mechanical sympathy on the starter motor.

welshmoneylover

I never bother, never thought of it tbh. However, if the petrol needle drops and my orange light comes on then I'll consider turning the fan/radio off! Tis a miserable journey tho

Wig

johnnyroper wrote: »

cannot see any point in making sure everything is off before switching back on myself,if you just get in and start up then it will be running before anything really gets up and running.
if your battery is in the sort of condition that requires things to be turned off before starting up then you need a new battery.
as for the A/C being switched off you will find it will not run anyway until the engine is running so no need to turn off to start and then back on when running.

When I get in a car - any modern car I allow the dash lights to go out before starting, on some cars this is essential, on others there is a process like you may have to depress the accelerator and slowly release, on others it's just good manners being respectful to the car.

I use all the life in a battery, and I will get another when I really need to, until then, helping the battery saves me money.

benham3160

Wig wrote: »

When I get in a car - any modern car I allow the dash lights to go out before starting, on some cars this is essential, on others there is a process like you may have to depress the accelerator and slowly release, on others it's just good manners being respectful to the car.

I use all the life in a battery, and I will get another when I really need to, until then, helping the battery saves me money.

Why would this be essential? Anything carrying out a POST (SRS, ABS, EBD etc) will continue to POST during the cranking procedure.

Which cars do you have to slowly depress the accelerator and depress? This is a new one on me.

I always declutch to start an engine (where possible!) as said, it's mechanical sympthy, and I always leave my car in gear anyway.

Regards,
Andy

cyclonebri1

I don't know about all newish cars but mine cuts the supply to both the radio and the fans when you press the start button, even if the radio etc is on. Never checked the lights

johnnyroper

Wig wrote: »

When I get in a car - any modern car I allow the dash lights to go out before starting, on some cars this is essential, on others there is a process like you may have to depress the accelerator and slowly release, on others it's just good manners being respectful to the car.

I use all the life in a battery, and I will get another when I really need to, until then, helping the battery saves me money.

what a load of rubbish if the battery is bad enough to need that you need to turn everything off then it needs changing simple as that.
the only thing i agree with is putting clutch in when cranking,no need to let lights go out on a petrol engine only diesel.
would be interested to know what cars need accelerator pressing as these days the throttle will do nothing until the electronics sense the engine is actually runnig.not like the old carb days.

Wig

benham3160 wrote: »

Why would this be essential? Anything carrying out a POST (SRS, ABS, EBD etc) will continue to POST during the cranking procedure.

Which cars do you have to slowly depress the accelerator and depress? This is a new one on me.

I always declutch to start an engine (where possible!) as said, it's mechanical sympthy, and I always leave my car in gear anyway.

Regards,
Andy

This is because many car owners/professionals don't read the manual to see if there are any specific instructions on starting a car. Remember RTFM? I don't say it is needed on all of them, but on the ones that it is not, I allow them to perform their checks before turning the key. I would rather err on the side of caution, allowing the computer to 'boot up' it only takes a few seconds, and whilst it does that I make sure everything is off.

It was an '87 Polo which required the accelerator action before starting from cold.