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.
Jump start - if you have jump leads and a second car, you can use their battery to give yours a jump. Instructions here: https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover...

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 ;-)