It's not a cold day here in the Midwest - 70 degrees. The Mustang GT hadn't been driven since last night about 6:00, so the engine was cold after sitting for almost 24 hours. I started her up in the garage, sat there for ten seconds and backed out. Shifted from reverse into 1st gear and started down the driveway. When I let the clutch out, she stuttered, almost seemed lie the engine was going to die. Has anyone else experienced this with a cold start?

I've noticed something somewhat similar on a couple of other occasions, but this was the most severe so far. Should I just let the engine warm up a bit more before driving it? It' got 12K miles on the clock at this point. I'm wondering if a CAI would help alleviate that issue, or if it's something unusual that I should have a tech check out.

 

You don't say if you were applying any throttle or not. If not, then a cold drivetrain may very well perform as you saw. Mine has done that if I do not apply throttle when I have not let it warm up p just a bit.

If you did apply throttle, you may have an issue with the clutch.

 

Pete - That's a good observation. My driveway has a slight downhill tilt. Sometimes I apply the throttle, I guess I usually do, but not much. Maybe I just didn't give it enough juice today. I'll try it again later and give it a few revs and see if that makes a difference. Any other tell-tale signs that I may have a clutch issue?

 

With only 12K on it, I doubt you have clutch issues, unless your the worlds worst manual driver! You did not mention if it did this once it did warm up, so I'd rule out the clutch.

Once the temp guage indicates the engine is warmed, how does it react?

 

A CAI definitely wouldn't do anything - it's been proven time and time again on our cars that the stock intake is highly efficient and a different one makes zero difference until you also chip the car.

Not sure what the cause might be but I've started mine through two winters in KC and had zero problem like you're talking about, though it does tend to be a little jumpy once in a while after I first start it up.

 

Bucko - You're probably right that it isn't a clutch issue. This morning I made a special effort to give it a bit more throttle, and I had no issues. Perhaps I was just a little too frugal with the juice. I'm guessing that was the cause.

 

I'm in the mid-3500-mile range on my '13 5.0. When I roll backward into the street, shift to first gear and idle away up the street, it's all OK. As soon as I crack the throttle even the littlest bit, the engine essentially stops running for a long second. Let off the gas, it resumes idling along just fine. Next time I touch the gas it works fine. Nothing like that pre-3000-miles. Doesn't seem to have been associated with ambient temperature.

 

kylerohde - Thanks for the info on the CAI. I think I was just a little light on the gas pedal because I gave it more gas this morning and I didn't have the same result.

 

Everybody needs to stop babying these cars and drive them.....they will still last a long time and you are not going to gain a lot of mpg with real easy starts....lol

 

Hey Michael Broadway,

You should speak with your Service Manager, and have it checked at your Ford Dealer. He/she is in the best position to let you know if there is work needed, and about coverage you may have for it (warranty, recall, etc.). Let me know the outcome.

Deysha

 

Since its fuel injection, I let the ECU/MAF/O2 sensors do their job. I never blip the throttle on a cold start. I turn the key on until fuel pump is up to pressure, do not touch the throttle (like the OM says), and start the engine. I back out of the garage using the idle only, sit there and wait while the garage door closes and until the engine idles down, then drive away. Never had any hesitation. FWIW.

 

Very close to the same routine I use, except (uhhh) one hesitation on the drive-away part.