Why is sharp starting to be avoided?

We’re all familiar with it: the traffic light changes to green and the vehicle in front of us shoots off at breakneck speed. The abrupt and strong acceleration of a vehicle, also known as sharp starting, can have unpleasant consequences for the passengers as well as for the vehicle itself and the environment. But what are the exact reasons for not accelerating sharply? In this guide, we shed light on this question Why should sharp starting be avoided?and explain why it is important to put this driving behavior to rest.

What is sharp starting?

Sharp starting refers to the abrupt and strong acceleration of a vehicle immediately after takeoff. It is often associated with a jerky driving experience and a loud engine noise. This driving behavior can be observed especially at traffic lights or when starting uphill. However, while it can sometimes be tempting to push the gas pedal and get a quick start, there are good reasons why this driving behavior should be avoided.

The consequences of sharp starting

Sharp starting has several negative effects that affect both the vehicle and the environment:

1. Wear:During sharp starts, the tires and the vehicle’s drive components are subjected to greater stress. This leads to increased wear, which shortens the life of these parts and can result in higher maintenance and repair costs.
2. Noise: A vehicle starting sharply generates a high noise level. This can not only disturb other road users, but also annoy residents, especially in residential areas.
3. Fuel consumption: Sharp starting leads to increased fuel consumption. By accelerating smoothly and evenly, fuel consumption can be reduced and thus save money.
4. Environmental impact: The increased fuel consumption during sharp starting leads to higher CO2 emissions and thus a greater impact on the environment.
5. Legal consequences: According to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), sharp starting can be considered an administrative offense, as it causes unnecessary noise and exhaust fumes. This can be punished with a fine.

How to avoid sharp starting?

To avoid sharp starts, it is advisable to accelerate the vehicle gently and steadily. This approach is not only gentle on the tires and drivetrain parts of the vehicle, but also helps to reduce fuel consumption and minimize noise. Below, you’ll find some helpful advice on how to avoid sharp starts.

Gentle acceleration

Instead of pressing the gas pedal abruptly, which results in a jerky start, try pressing it gently and steadily. An abrupt start is not only uncomfortable for your passengers, but it also puts a lot of stress on the engine and transmission. By pressing the gas pedal slowly and steadily, you can gradually bring the car up to the desired speed. This is an effective way to avoid sharp starts. This allows the engine and transmission to adjust to the increased load, which reduces wear and extends the life of the vehicle. In addition, smooth acceleration leads to a smoother and more pleasant driving experience and helps reduce fuel consumption. It’s a simple and effective way to avoid sharp starts and reap the benefits of a smooth and anticipatory driving style.

Predictive Driving

Try to anticipate the flow of traffic and adjust your driving accordingly. This means you should always keep an eye on the road and traffic around you. Pay attention to traffic lights, road signs, other vehicles and pedestrians. For example, if you see a traffic light turn green ahead of you, you can gently press the gas pedal early on instead of abruptly accelerating as soon as you get to the light. This anticipatory driving can help avoid unnecessary sharp starts, which not only reduces fuel consumption and wear and tear on your vehicle, but also makes for a safer and more relaxed driving experience. It’s an important skill that every driver should master in order to be safe and efficient on the road.

Correct gear selection

To prevent sharp starts, it is important to select the appropriate gear for the driving situation. If the selected gear is too low, the vehicle may jerk or even stall when starting off. Too high a gear, on the other hand, can result in the vehicle not accelerating sufficiently. Therefore, the right gear selection is crucial to ensure a smooth and efficient start-up. Both situations can cause you to instinctively start sharply to get the vehicle moving. Therefore, it is important to match the gear to the driving situation. When starting from a standstill, first gear is usually the best choice. Once the vehicle is moving, you can gradually shift to higher gears. When doing so, you should make sure that the vehicle always runs in a speed range that allows smooth and efficient acceleration. By selecting the right gear, you can avoid sharp starts while reducing fuel consumption and wear and tear on your vehicle.

Laws and lessons learned from driving lessons

Sharp starting is not only problematic for the reasons mentioned above, but can also have legal consequences. According to the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), it is forbidden to cause unnecessary noise or exhaust fumes without a valid reason. Sharp starting can therefore be considered an administrative offense and be subject to a fine.

In addition, the topic of sharp starting also plays an important role in driving school. Right from the start, learner drivers learn that driving gently and with foresight is not only safer, but also reduces fuel consumption and extends the life of the vehicle. Sharp starts can result in points being deducted from the practical driving test and, in the worst case scenario, even flunking the test.

It is therefore important to be aware of and avoid this driving behavior. Not only to avoid fines or failing the driving test, but also to contribute to road safety and environmental protection.

Avoid sharp starting

Sharp starting has several negative effects that affect both the vehicle and the environment. It leads to increased wear and tear on vehicle parts, higher fuel consumption, and increased noise pollution. By accelerating smoothly and steadily and driving with foresight, you can avoid sharp starts and contribute to a more pleasant and environmentally friendly driving experience. Therefore, it is important to avoid sharp starts and instead focus on smooth and steady acceleration.