How to push-start a car?

[40th GT]

I was watching a nascar race and Kevin Harvick had a messed up alternator. So when he had to re-crank the car after the red flag, he requested a push-start from a flatbed so that he won't have to use his starter. So it got me wondering, how do you push-start a car?

 

[DropTopPony]

put it in gear with the clutch in...push car to speed and pop the clutch...make sure key is on.

 

[40th GT]

pretty damn simple eh.

 

[SRT Handz]

What a Newb

 

[Mustang5L5]

Use 2nd gear. 1st won't turn the engine over fast enough.


Put it in second, turn key to on, get some strong buddies to give you a push and then pop the clutch up. When it starts, be ready to push the clutch back in

 

[mity2]

can we still push start new cars with distributerless ignition car?

 

[Adverse2Change]

Very easy if you are on a slope where the car will roll, and be very quick with the clutch.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Yes it works.

I had the pleasure of having to push start a buddy's '01 Bullitt


In the manual though, they say you aren't supposed to push start the car because it will damage the catalysts.

 

[four six]

When my starter went out I had my step dad pull me with his explorer. I put it in 2nd and poped the clutch. Started right up

 

[PowerSplash93]

I had a 91 eagle talon awd turbo and when I bought it the starter was gone in it. Well that night that I bought it, decided to go to the drag strip, needless to say it was kinda embarrassing because every time I wanted to run I had to get it rolling, but I just parked it on a hill after each race. Man that was a lot of fun!!!
Matt

 

[40th GT]

What a Newb

 

[triggz]

If you have the ignition in the "run" position, you forcibly start the engine over by using the tires to drive the engine (translating power backwards through the drivetrain) instead of turning the key to "start" where the starter turns the engine at the flywheel.

1st gear is fine for jump starting, just get rolling at 2 or 3 mph and pop the clutch and jab it back in and voila, car is running.

No, you can't do it with an auto though because of the way the torque converter works always allowing 'slack' through the viscous fluid.

 

[Jackie Chan]

I had a 91 eagle talon awd turbo and when I bought it the starter was gone in it. Well that night that I bought it, decided to go to the drag strip, needless to say it was kinda embarrassing because every time I wanted to run I had to get it rolling, but I just parked it on a hill after each race. Man that was a lot of fun!!!
Matt

hahah,

i did that but we dont have any hills in FL.

i just parked at the rear of the slicks lanes in my 95 and my buddies pushed the car when they started to roll up . i thought the starter crapped out but instead one of the bolts backed out. the repair was really fun without the extensions or swivel...and HOT

 

[merc123]

I've had to do that several times on my race car. I could get mine to start in 3rd gear. My slave cylinder I think went out so I would push in the clutch but it wouldn't actually disengage the clutch. I would keep my switch "on" and keep the pedal to the floor. Then I would have a 4-wheeler bump me from behind. It actually took less to get the car going in 3rd than 2nd. In 2nd the 4-wheeler would have to actually push me to get me going. In 3rd all I needed was a bump to get the car to turn just a tad and it would crank and take off.

 

[dsg03bullitt]

Have you ever drove clutch dirt bikes or 4-wheelers when you were a kid? I had to push start my quads just about every day because my battery's were always dead!

Newb Indeed!

 

[COramprat]

Had to do that the other night at work. Started in 1st just fine. Pop the clutch and it's gravy...