How to Push-Start a Car With a Dead Battery
Cars with manual (stick shift) transmissions can be started even when the battery or the starter motor isn't working. Here's how you do it.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Make sure that the problem is either the battery or the starter: If the engine cranks ("rrr-rrr-rrr") when you turn the key, then the problem isn't the starter or the battery.
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2
Plan to have at least one person sitting in the driver's seat and one person pushing. Mid-size and large cars require two or three people to push, depending on the strength of the people and whether or not the car is parked on an incline.
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3
Turn off all accessories (radio, wipers, lamps).
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4
Turn the key to the "on" position.
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Depress the clutch pedal with your foot.
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Put the transmission in first or second gear.
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7
Release the hand brake and the foot brake.
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8
Note that the people pushing need to get the car rolling as fast as they can. This works best down a hill or an incline.
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9
Release the clutch pedal while giving the engine a little gas with the gas pedal once the car is moving about as fast as you can run. The engine should start.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Cars can be push-started going backwards, too! Just put the transmission in reverse instead of first or second and push the car backwards.
A car with a completely dead battery often cannot be push-started.
One person can push-start a car that is parked on a hill, but this can be very unsafe as you must jump in the car after getting it rolling, and there is a chance you may lose control of the car.
Certain manufacturers of specific models do not recommend starting your car this way. Check your owner's manual for warnings.
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Comments
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On most regular vehicles, the alternator needs DC excitation current from an auxiliary source such as the battery. Smaller alternators like ones used in motorcycles have permanent magnets in the rotor to develop the field, and a battery is not required to start them. However, it may be possible that residual magnetism in the brushed type may be enough to provide the initial current for the excitation winding, and to fire the spark plugs and fuel injection computer if the battery were very low. Although, it would be preferable if there were a dynamo, generator, or brushless alternator as backup in the engine bay to act for emergencies.
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Only a heavily laden car on a tar or cement surface will start in 1st gear, the drive wheels will usually slip otherwise. It is OK to push start the car with a couple of strong blokes behind, but what if you haven't enough "push-power"? Often the battery is not completely flat. It is not the best treatment... but when you're in trouble..you're in trouble... Put the car in 2 nd gear and get pushed...Simultaneously with releasing the clutch, as was sugested, turn the ignition key further on , to "START"...it often just needs that extra bit of enjin speed to start it...it will go as with a "learner driver", but keep it going till the enjin picks up speed and then depress the clutch pedal and release the key...don't turn it right off! l A completely dead battery will not start the newer cars, as the alternator first needs a small current from the battery to start charging and the sparkplugs need a bit of power to fire.
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no. fuel pump is in or by the gas tank
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My car fuel pump broke after i push started my car. Is it related to the push start any how???
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dont listen to this idiot.... push starting in 1st gear is a no-no.. second okay cuz thats a coasting gear... i prefer third. its easier on the clutch plates
