Push starting a car

samsung_laptop

If you have a flat battery can you push start a car where you've got to hold the clutch in before starting it.

worried_jim

Only one way to find out......

Or share the make and model and someone who knows may answer.

curty510

ignition on, car in 1st or 2nd(i prefer 2nd) gear, clutch in, handbrake off and push away....release clutch and gently touch the gas once up to a good speed.

AdrianC

Pressing the clutch while starting is just an extra switch that needs to be closed in order for the starter motor to get the signal to turn. Since push-starting doesn't use the starter motor, that clutch switch is irrelevant.

TadleyBaggie

What about keyless starting systems? To turn the ignition on in my car I have to press the Start/Stop button without pressing the clutch, however if the battery was completely flat nothing would happen surely?

AdrianC

If there's insufficient sparks to fire up all the electronics, then you can push the car until the cows come home - it ain't going to start.

If there's sufficient sparks to fire everything up, but not spin the starter, then how the starter is signalled - whether it be from turning a key, pressing the clutch while turning the key, pressing a big red button - makes not a jot of difference.

Strider590

It's that time of year again chaps.......

Unless your desperate to use the car, just fit a new battery. Your probably going to need one anyway and if you bump it now, it'll only fail you as the cold weather sets in.

boatman

One thing i've noticed people doing is trying to turn the key whilst trying to bump start. Just leave the key alone in the second position ( II or ON ).
Normally, by turning the key further than the second position it engages the starter, the key then returns to the second position when the engine starts.
Ignition position I or ACC(accessories) allows you to listen to the radio and a few other bits, position II or ON normally brings up all the dashboard lights.

PasturesNew

The hardest bit is finding the energy to keep trying again when it "nearly" starts the first time.

On one occasion I was the one pushing AND starting - so I pushed the (heavy/sports) car along the road as hard/fast as I could, with the ignition on, driver door open - then leapt into the driving seat, clutch in, into gear, clutch out ... and I was lucky I'd been going fast enough and it went the first time.

Ah, those were the days ..... push starting was a very common occurrence back then.

Rain_Shadow

PasturesNew wrote: »

On one occasion I was the one pushing AND starting - so I pushed the (heavy/sports) car along the road as hard/fast as I could, with the ignition on, driver door open - then leapt into the driving seat, clutch in, into gear, clutch out ... and I was lucky I'd been going fast enough and it went the first time.

.

I wouldn't usually believe a story like that. But as it's you PN I certainly do. :rotfl:

AdrianC

PasturesNew wrote: »

On one occasion I was the one pushing AND starting - so I pushed the (heavy/sports) car along the road as hard/fast as I could, with the ignition on, driver door open - then leapt into the driving seat, clutch in, into gear, clutch out ... and I was lucky I'd been going fast enough and it went the first time.

I did exactly that earlier this year - with a Land Rover. The starter had died in a friend's drive - long enough to get a little bit of speed up, helped by a mild gradient.

Unfortunately, the first time I forgot to switch the ignition on. So I had to push the damn thing back UP that mild gradient for a second attempt...