If your manual car breaks down because the battery runs out, you can start the car by pushing it. Jump start is a safe and easy method of starting a stalled car engine. However, if you don't have the equipment needed to jump start, you can simply prepare your car keys and ask a friend to help you push and start the broken car engine. Remember, this method can only be applied to cars with manual transmission. Starting a car with automatic transmission by pushing can cause damage to the car.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Checking Cars and Paving the Way
Step 1. Know the characteristics of a discharged car battery
Insert the car key and turn it to start the car, then observe the car's reaction. The characteristics of a depleted car battery are the car starter makes a clicking sound, the engine starts but only for a moment, and the dashboard light does not turn on.
- If the dashboard light is on but the engine won't start, the car battery may still be charged, but not enough power to start the car engine.
- If the car does not react at all when the key is turned, the car battery is completely discharged.
- If all of the car's lights are on but the engine won't start, your car battery may not have a problem. The car's fuel combustion process may be interrupted (fuel pump, gasoline filter), the car's airflow may be problematic (air filter, airflow sensor), or the car's ignition system may not be optimal.
Step 2. Make sure the car is driven on a road that is not too downhill
It's best to avoid pushing the car on a road that is too downhill because you may lose control if the car does not start successfully. A slightly downhill path is a good option. Remember, do not push the car on a road that is too downhill because it can endanger you or others.
When the car engine does not start, the car's power steering and power break features cannot be used. Therefore, never push the car on a road that is too downhill
Step 3. Open and secure the road in front of the car
Driving and braking the car will be difficult to do when the car is being pushed. Therefore, clean the objects that can interfere with the speed of the car on the road. Observe also obstacles that cannot be moved. If there are trees or other immovable objects in the car lane, do not push the car in the lane.
- Make sure that as far as approximately 100 meters there are no objects that can interfere with the car's speed. This is done so that the car can go straight.
- Push the car slowly when turning if the lane ahead is not safe.
Step 4. Insert the key and turn it to the on position
Turning the key to the on position is almost the same as starting a car, but the engine will not start because the car battery is exhausted. By doing this, the steering wheel is unlocked so you can drive the car.
- The key must be in the on position when the car is pushed. Otherwise, the car engine will not start when the clutch is released.
- When in the on position, the steering wheel will not be locked. However, the power steering feature cannot be used as long as the engine is still not running.
Part 2 of 3: Starting the Car Engine
Step 1. Put the car gear into gear 2
Gear 2 is the best option when it comes to pushing the car. However, if there is a problem with gear 2, you can also use gear 1 or gear 3. Press the clutch with your left foot then slide the gear lever to the far left and pull it down to enter gear 2.
- Gear 1 has a high enough torque that the car may jump when it is started.
- The speed of the car must be high enough if you want to start the car in 3rd gear.
Step 2. Release the handbrake and press the brake pedal and clutch simultaneously
Depending on the type of car, the handbrake is usually a lever located to the left of the knee or a handle located in the center of the console. Depress the clutch with your left foot and brake with your right foot after releasing the handbrake.
- If you don't know where the handbrake is, try reading your car's manual or visiting the car manufacturer's website.
- If you are on a downhill road, press the brake pedal while releasing the handbrake to prevent the car from moving.
Step 3. Release the brakes when your friend pushes the car
Make sure your friend pushes the car in a safe place such as the bumper or trunk door. Do not push the car on the spoiler or rear windshield. Lift your right foot off the brake pedal while your friend is pushing the car.
- The rear float, spoiler, and rear windshield are not safe places to push the car.
- Most cars can be driven by just one person. However, if it is pushed by many people, this process will become easier.
Step 4. Release the clutch pedal after the speedometer hits 10 km/h
When your friend is pushing the car, control the car to keep it going straight and watch the speedometer carefully. After the car is traveling at a speed of 10 km/h or more, lift the left foot off the clutch pedal directly. This will connect the crankshaft to the wheels of the car through the car's gear so that the engine will start.
- The faster the car goes, the more likely the engine will start when the clutch is released, the more it will increase.
- The car will jump slightly and the engine will vibrate.
- You don't need to press the gas pedal, but it can be done. Remember, when the gas pedal is pressed, the speed of the car will increase.
Step 5. Grip the steering wheel firmly, especially if the car uses a front wheel drive system
The engine torque of a front wheel drive car often affects the steering wheel of a car. When the engine rotates, the steering wheel turns right or left by itself. This phenomenon is often referred to as torque steering. Therefore, grip the steering wheel firmly so that the car does not turn by itself.
- Torque steer generally only lasts a moment. This usually happens when the engine is trying to turn the wheels of the car quickly.
- When the engine is running, the torque steer will make the steering wheel jerk a little.
Step 6. Try again if the machine does not start
If the engine does not start but the car is still running, press the clutch pedal until it runs out and then release. Ask a friend to keep pushing to make the car go faster.
- If the engine does not start, the car may be running less fast.
- Repeat this step until the engine starts when the clutch is released.
Part 3 of 3: Stopping the Car and Charging the Battery
Step 1. Press the clutch pedal after the engine starts
After the engine starts successfully, the alternator will generate electricity to keep the engine running. Press the clutch pedal with your left foot to stop the car from accelerating.
- When the clutch is depressed, the engine speed will decrease to idle.
- The alternator will charge the battery and keep the engine running.
Step 2. Shift to neutral and step on the brake pedal
Depress the clutch pedal while pushing the gear lever up to enter neutral. By doing this, the car will go into neutral gear. After that, use your right foot to press the brake pedal and stop the car.
- You can lift the clutch pedal once the car is in neutral.
- Do not turn off the car engine after stopping.
Step 3. Let the car run for 15 minutes
The alternator takes time to fully charge the battery, so leave the engine running after the car has stopped. If the car's lights are on but it's hard to start, you only need to wait 15 minutes. However, if the car battery is completely discharged, you may need to wait 30-60 minutes.
- The car can still be driven when the alternator is charging the battery.
- If the engine is turned off while the battery still doesn't have enough power to turn it back on, you'll have to start over again.
Tips
- Release the clutch pedal quickly. If it is too long, the engine will not start.
- If it doesn't work right away, try again and make sure the car goes faster before releasing the clutch.
- Before applying this method, test the car battery with a multimeter (the car owner must have a multimeter). If the voltage is sufficient, the car's starter may have a problem. Make sure the car starter is not jammed. Read your car's manual to find out where it is. You may need to jack up the car, but learn how first. Hit the car starter with a hammer several times, then try to start the car engine. If it doesn't turn on, visit an auto parts store to buy a new starter. Replacing a car starter is quite easy to do yourself.
Warning
- When the engine is not running, the power brake or power steering feature cannot be used. Therefore, controlling the car may be a little difficult.
- When pushing the car, make sure your hands or feet are not too much with the tires or wheels of the car.
