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How To Push-Start A Car With A Dead Battery

Published

9 years ago

August 4, 2017

When you car doesn’t start,there can be several things at fault,including:
A blown ignition fuse
A bad battery
A damaged starter motor
A discharged battery as a result of leaving the lights on
A faulty ignition switch
A poorly operating starter

Whatever be the cause,it is possible to push start a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission even if you don’t have access to a set of jumper cables.

Here’s how to get your car started without the use of jumper cables.

Step 1: Turn ignition on
Turn your ignition to the “on” position.

Step 2: Engage clutch;put into gear
Press the clutch firmly to the floor and put the car into gear.
Tip: Push starting a car in second gear allows you to start it smoothly and without a big jolt.

Step 3: Push car
Have your friend or friends push the car until you have achieved a speed of five to 10 miles per hour.
Tip: Let your friends know when you are about to pop the clutch so that they can get out of the way.

Step 4: Release clutch
Release the clutch pedal slowly.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to give the engine a little gas at this stage,but not too much.

Step 5: Drive
Drive for a short distance after you feel the car start; just to make sure that the vehicle is actually running.
Don’t forget to go back for your friends.

How Push-Starting Works
A manual transmission is designed like a direct drive system:The engine usually propels the vehicle by turning the transmission,but once it’s already in motion,a manual transmission can keep the engine running because of its momentum.

When you press down the clutch pedal,the transmission is disengaged from the flywheel on the back of the engine and it “freewheels.” The engine can rev but the vehicle will not be propelled forward in gear.

When you release the clutch pedal,the clutch engages with the flywheel on the engine’s crankshaft and the transmission input turns at the same speed as the engine.

Whenever you start your car,the starter motor turns the flywheel to begin the combustion process inside the engine.By push starting a car,you essentially use the vehicle’s momentum to act in the same fashion as the starter motor.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/