Introduction: Push Start a Car
Push starting, also known as "bump starting" a car or motorcycle is a way of getting the vehicle started when either your starter motor or battery have given up the ghost. It consists of getting a vehicle into it's running state, pushing it to get some momentum, and engaging the transmission, to start the engine spinning. Be aware that to push start a car you need to have a manual transmission, and trying to push start an automatic vehicle will either fail to start it, or possibly damage the transmission. You should also avoid bump starting a vehicle with a catalytic converter as unburned fuel mixture in the exhaust may cause it harm. It can still be done in a pinch though. Though it may be tempting if you're alone and on a hill, it's a really bad idea to push the car down the hill then jump in to bump start. People have accidentally run themselves over trying this. It's best to find someone to help.
Step 1: Getting to a Running State
The first step in push starting a car is getting it in a state where it's ready to run. This usually just means disengaging the parking brake, having the key in the on or running position, and having the driver in place. This makes it so once the momentum of the pusher(s) is transfered to the engine it will be ready to use that momentum to start up and run.
Step 2: Push Like Heck
Now you've got the car ready, the driver in place, at least one person ready to push, and preferably a downhill slope. It's time to push.
Put the car in second gear (possibly higher depending on how fast you're rolling when you engage, press in the clutch pedal, and push the car until you get as much speed going as possible. It's best to have a long stretch to go down and nothing to worry about running into, but depending on how many pushers you have and how light the car is you can get away with some fairly short runs. Just remember that the more momentum you can build up the more likely your bump start will be successful.
Step 3: Use Your Momentum to Start the Engine
Now that you're rolling at a good clip, your pushers should let the car roll on, and the driver should engage the transmission. You should engage in 2nd gear, since engaging into 1st gear would winf up the engine's RPMs fast enough that it may cause damage. I've also seen people starting by push starting in reverse and engaging in reverse, though 2nd gear pushing forward is still your best bet. The idea is that whatever speed the car is going in, you should engage the engine in the gear that you would normally operate the car in at that speed.
Make sure to give it some gas as you engage or you'll likely stall the engine out. If it stalls anyway try again and see if you can get a couple more people to help push. Make sure you figure out what's causing your starting problem ASAP so you won't be push starting any more. As mentioned in the intro, you can also push start any motorcycle with a clutched transmission. This is very useful since motorcycle batteries carry less charge and they're usually small enough for the driver to push and engage the motor themselves. Pictured below is an old board track bike which was designed needing a push start every time because it's stripped down to save weight. Happy trails.
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36 Comments
3 years ago
The opening picture of the Little Tykes car might be a petrochemical alternative. I always wanted a car that could be fueled with Froot Loops.
4 years ago on Introduction
But what I want to know is what kind of ignition is happening with this bump start !?!? Is it compression ignition or do you need the starter to spark still ?
15 years ago on Introduction
this is only for manual transmission, this will not work on automatic.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Pushing a automatic car to start, works also.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
so will it work on a Toyota tercel that what i have to fix
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
if it has an automatic transmission there's just no way to bump start it.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
It will, you just have to get it Really fast, and i mean Fast.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Are you speaking from experience? I've never heard of this before. How fast do you mean?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
err, no, 70 to 90 mph mehbey.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i don't think an auto (not running) could build enough tranny pressure to lock-up a torque converter at any speed... I could be wrong though.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
me and my family did manage to push start a Toyota Lucida Van once. But that was on a steep slope and the car was going approx 30kph when it started
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
So you could probably do it with most auto transmissions if you pushed the car up to speed with another car. Good to know.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
You can, but you risk your transmission.
12 years ago on Introduction
Couldn't you put an automatic in neutral, then get going and put it in low gear?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yes, automatic works also. I've done it for 3 months and drove my car daily. Worked perfectly.
11 years ago on Introduction
i learnt this trick a while back, as the clutch is released turn the the key at the same time if there is any any residual charge in the battery it will provide assistance, i would not attempt push starting a car without turning the key at the same time, it will improve your rate of success, unless the battery is complely flat.
11 years ago on Introduction
This works for motorcycles, tried and tested In a bike you don't do it any differently... except probably the gear. Many a bike won't let you put 2nd gear very easily unless you're rolling at some speed, so probably you should stick with 1st gear. So you put it on either 1st or 2nd, hold the clutch, gain enough momentum, release the clutch and give it some gas.
But watch out! you should do it like in the third step's pic, so get a couple of friends to help you. If you try doing it by yourself you can loose control of the bike too easily when the engine starts.
Of course, if you have a kickstarter you shouldn't be trying to push! ;)
14 years ago on Introduction
To get the car moving from a dead-stop, I would suggest (especially on bigger/heavier vehicles) that the pusher CAREFULLY push forward on the top part of the REAR tire... This gives the pusher some added leverage; similar to taking off in 1st instead of 5th... larger diameter gears allows for easier take-off. Pushing the car's bumper while sitting still will prove to be like taking off in 5th compared to pushing on the tire. ONCE THE CAR IS MOVING, the pusher should then step back and utilize the bumper, trunk, or A-pillar as this will be safer when the vehicle's speed increases... plus, the tire will end up moving faster than your hand can push. Good luck, and safety first :)!
14 years ago on Step 2
You can also push the car by the A-pillar as well, just a little tip.
15 years ago on Introduction
nice instructable, although u might want to add that if its being done on dirt or grass the wheels might skid, and if this happens the driver should engage the transmission in the next gear up, or get sum1 to jump on the back/front wen u engage the gearbox (providing u have a bullbar or ute back for the people to sit, lol not just unsafely on the bonnet