Talk:Bump starting

• This article has been merged into Push start.

Gear choice

[note to author: you're supposed to put the transmission in its HIGHEST gear, because when you run the drive train backward the gear reductions are backward.]

I removed mention of "first or second" gear. Honestly having push started a car many times I honestly can not remember what gear I use. But it has always worked. This leads me to believe that it is rather unimportant.

I always put it in second gear

- I always put it in second or third. I've done it in first, but I don't usually because it's hard for the guys pushing to keep it moving once you release the clutch. And if it's a tow start, then as soon as you release the clutch, you put a massive strain on the tow cable (and on whatever part of your car it's attached to). I don't usually put it in fourth because it doesn't always turn the engine enough to get it going. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.231.19.60 (talk) 11:12, 9 July 2009 (UTC)

Alternator

Does turning the engine, cause the alternator to turn and thus the spark/glow plugs to spark or glow initiating the first combustion, or is just the fact that the pistons are moving creating compression start the combustion off?

Cheers Chris

Why is it not reccomended to Bump Start

Many repair and instruction manuals do not reccomend bump starting a car, and suggest you jump start instead, I am assuming the main reason for this is in the intrest of safety, but are there technical reasons as to why you shouldn't? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.107.80.144 (talk) 20:49, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

If the engine is turning for more than a few revs and does NOT start, unburned fuel can go straight to the catalytic converter, ultimately damaging it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.11.213.246 (talk) 07:09, 20 April 2009 (UTC)