How to Push Start a Manual Car

Battery flat? Here are the steps you need to start your car, either by pushing it or rolling it down a hill.
1) Find a safe, flat area to push start you car.
2) Turn off the fan/radio/lights - this will reduce the load on the engine.
3) Turn the key to the first click - this will disable the steering lock and the immobiliser. If you don't do this, there will be no power.
5) Put the car into gear - 1st gear for most standard cars, 2nd gear if you have a larger engine (over 2500cc).
4) Push! Leave your foot on the clutch so you can build up speed.
5) Once you reach a good speed (at least 10mph), warn your assistant to stop pushing and pop your foot off the clutch quickly. The car will use the momentum to start the engine.
6) Once it fires to life, give it some power and some clutch, so you don't stall.
7) Finally, to charge the battery, take the car for a 10-15 minute drive. Otherwise, you can leave the car startionary with the engine running around 2000rpm, and it'll charge. It won't charge the battery significantly if you're just idling.

- Variations -
Hill start: If you have a nice gradual incline, you can roll the car down the hill instead of using an assistant.
Reverse push start: only for the brave.

Warnings
1) You won't have power steering or proper brakes. Normally, the engine helps assist the brakes by pumping hydraulic fluid. You won't have this! So if you are pushed too fast, or down a big hill, and you can't start the car, it'll be hard work to use the brakes. Imagine the brakes on a car from the 1960s. That''ll be it. So don't push the car over 10mph.
2) Watch out for traffic, since you will have no lights.

This is how I do it - do it yourself at your own risk.

Disclaimer: This video is for entertainment purposes only ;-)

[tbarton]

I had a VW Karmanm Ghia in the 70s. It wouldn't start.
I would open the driver door, put the gear in neutral, and start pushing. When it was going fast enough, i would jump in, bang my shins on the steering column, step on clutch, shift into second and hope it would pick up speed (most of the time it would) and pop the clutch. Started right up. Give it gas and drive on.
Probably looked really strange for a young girl to be doing but i didn't care. I loved that car.

Luckily i lived where it was hilly so i would back into a parking spot that was on a slant so i wouldn't have to do all that. Saved my knees from a few bruises too.😊

[cesarvelazquez]

I used to do that back when I had a manual. Early 2000's. I totally forgot on how to do it. Thank you!

[Nirolevy]

I've heard of someone who tried to push start an automatic transmission,
He pushed and then jumped in and shifted into D,
Which resulted in a complete transmission replacement

[carcomplete]

Just bumb started my car after my late shift you're a lifesaver 🙏

[gnarlybros]

Dude honestly thank you so much man. i burned my battery out and had to get someone home quickly. this video came in "clutch" haha. thank you man

[thierryreus]

Thanks mate, short video but everything I needed. Had to do this without help just now for the first time

[youreallythinkso]

I just stuck today in my opel corsa B. I did a quick a yt search on how to push start and this gem popped up ❤. You earned my like and sub sir. Thanks

[BummyGarage]

This is a great video just turning off my radio was enough for my car to start

[shawnfernandes]

1000%%%%. Worked on the first go👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 i love

[cosmicfxx]

Hmm .. why you say 1st gear? Most seem to say start in 2nd gear

[nerdburger]

Thanks, got my friend and i out of a 4 am dead battery

[needahaircut]

Best one on YouTube lad
Full of yanks Talkin brown
Fair play lad ❤

[fredericksville]

I thought having it in gear would hold the vehicle still doesn't it? Or are you pushing in the clutch while rolling, then dumping it as you turn the ignition?

[Josh.Sanderson]

Hey man you mind if i use a very short snippet of this video for my next video? I'll give all credit of course! Cheers!

[Milan-or]

If u were parked with the car facing the building u put it in either in 2nd or reverse but reverse is harder. U give it an push from infront and u brake when it starts. (Works best on old cars)

[ryugawatekiwakur-ow]

Thx save'd me a lecture and a possible as whoopin.

[americanosbadassius]

What you demonstrated is a roll start, a jumpstart is done by using jumper cables.

[mrbaby]

you can not stall in that car 💀 if you do gotta push start again 😂

[jamesgrillage]

Bro wtf do you mean pop. Does that mean push or release?

[vincentbianchi]

Ur steering wheel is on the wrong side mate