TIL: push starting a manual car!

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
12/10/2014 at 21:26 • Filed to: None

Neat, I learned something new today! I knew it was possible but had never seen it done. A coworker of mine showed me how to push start a manual car. I tried it a couple of times but didn't really get the hang of it. He made it look ridiculously easy but I will have to practice that skill. Seems useful if I'm ever stuck with a dead battery in the future. Shenanigans then ensued when he self started the car by pushing it and jumping in. That was even more impressive while also slightly dangerous.

DISCUSSION (27)

Argent > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:31

I haven't had the need to do that before, and was never taught proper technique. How are you supposed to go about doing it? Just dropping the clutch in 1st?

505Turbeaux > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:33

I cannot tell you how many times I have actually had to perform this. Good skill to have

Big Bubba Ray > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:36

I did this last week with my Z when the battery died on me. Scary but fun.

Katsumoto > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:38

Use 1st gear if you want to almost kiss the windshield, 2nd for getting the car going and not making it look like it had a seizure.

But other than that, just get a good roll started, and engage your inner Jeremy Clarkson "POWER" and side step the clutch.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Argent
12/10/2014 at 21:39

Need to get to decent speed, 10mph or around there. Now, before this, car in 1st, key in the start position. Get to decent speed and drop the mother.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2014 at 21:40

Had to do it two weeks ago. Pushed her out of the garage to get stuff from above and fuck. Good skill to have.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Argent
12/10/2014 at 21:40

From what I understand, key is on, car is in first gear, hold clutch pedal down, start rolling motion (on a hill or pushed), and once it's moving along, you pop the clutch, give it gas, and then throw the clutch back in. If done quickly and correctly, the car will start.

Argent > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/10/2014 at 21:44

I'm guessing you don't want to do it too often due to clutch wear?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > 505Turbeaux
12/10/2014 at 21:44

Yeah if I can get it perfected , I could stop carrying my jump kit and save the trunk space

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/10/2014 at 21:47

Definitely is useful. I used to have to do it regularly on my Baja bug because the carb was really terribly tuned. I would go to neutral coasting down hills, the engine would cut, I'd pop it in 2nd and let the clutch out quickly. Tires would squeal and she'd be back to life!

TDIGuy > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:52

I have a friend with a 1974 MGB and thats the ONLY way to start it hahaha

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:52

Did that with my f150 a few weeks ago. Pulled it with my cherokee and vroom off it went

Clay_T > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:52

Second gear.

First tries to spin the motor too fast and smashes the faces of the guy's that are pushing into the trunk.

No, it doesn't do anything to the clutch. There just isn't enough forces involved, compared to an already running engine you either drop the clutch on or slip too much.

The important thing to remember is switch the key on! Your pushers will hate you if the motor goes chug chug chug and doesn't fire because you didn't have it in the run position.

505Turbeaux > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:53

nah keep that. You never know when trouble will strike at the bottom of a hill

jkm7680 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 21:54

I've never tried, but it would be a good skill to learn.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Argent
12/10/2014 at 21:56

I've heard stories where people would solely use this method to start their cars. So, basically, park at the top of a hill every time. I'm sure there is some wear, but it's a very quick process.

ttyymmnn > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 22:13

That's pretty much it. Just make sure the key is in the ON position or you will be wasting your breath.

ttyymmnn > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 22:15

When I was in grad school, the battery died in my VW Fox and I couldn't afford to buy a new one until I got paid. I spent about two weeks clutch starting the car. You have to get clever about parking, making sure you back in, trying to find spaces at the top of a hill or rise. That's rather difficult in Houston, though. But I got fairly proficient at it.

deekster_caddy > Argent
12/10/2014 at 22:18

It's much smoother if you use 2nd, if you can get it rolling just a little faster

OPPOsaurus WRX > 505Turbeaux
12/10/2014 at 22:21

does this work on new cars or only older ones?

505Turbeaux > OPPOsaurus WRX
12/10/2014 at 22:22

if it is a stick it will work on any. A real stick not a DSC or something

OPPOsaurus WRX > 505Turbeaux
12/10/2014 at 22:29

'14 WRX? seems like it would be a pretty violent maneuver

505Turbeaux > OPPOsaurus WRX
12/10/2014 at 22:31

nah it will go right over, just stab the clutch as soon as it fires

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > TDIGuy
12/10/2014 at 22:31

Sounds appropriate for the car!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Clay_T
12/10/2014 at 22:33

First time I tried, I didn't put the key on since I didn't really understand the concept. I tend to take instructions quite literally so I needed that stated haha

Sn210 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 22:35

I had to do this a couple times when I had my YJ Wrangler thanks to a low battery

DasWauto > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
12/10/2014 at 23:35

Useful feature on stickshift cars. I've had to do it a few times, most recently yesterday after my brother left the lights on in our mazda3. Worked like a charm, drove it for 15 minutes and it started right up after we got back out of the parts store (serpentine belt was due to be changed).