does push starting your car hurt it ?

[nudelude]

are there any major negative effects from push starting your car? also, why don't a lot of people know how to push start? i think it should be mandatory that if you drive a manual transmission, you know how to do this. i had to help this kid the other day on campus with a civic. he yells at me from the end of the parking lot asking me for a " jump" , as i walked up to him, i asked if it was automatic or manual..he says manual, and i said " why don't you just jump start it? " he says " uh, what's that mean?"so i showed him and he couldn't get it, so i had to do it for him and it started right up.anyways, i digress..so is it bad for the car at all? just wondering..

[sanioll]

let say not enough damage is being done, to worth taking your time and posting a question about it.

battery/starter is dead, push start it. And get it fixed ASAP. Park on the hills, etc...

[navysnail]

not really bad for it, it does stress things like the clutch but it won't generaly be more then anything it would see with some hard use.

[bcar240]

I think it is bad for the cat too. But I am not too worried about that if I have a car that won't start.

[corn322]

I don't see how push starting a car can be bad for the cat.

[Nanaimo]

If the cat doesn't hear the engine it won't get out of the way before you roll over it.

[bcar240]

If the cat doesn't hear the engine it won't get out of the way before you roll over it.

I am not sure, I just thought I remembered something in an owner's manual somewhere recommending not to push start because it was bad for the cat. I think it was something about the cat not being able to warm up properly, the're kinda tempermental.

[onosqv]

What's a push start? Sorry, I have an automatic .

[bcar240]

Push starting is where you can start a manual car without the a dead battery or starter. you physically push the car to get it moving, and went your going, you get in and clutch it and put it in gear (2nd usually, maybe 3rd) and let the clutch out fast. The transmission catches real quick and it should be enough kick to get the engine turning enough to start on its own.

[TheLocust]

yeah, I learned how to do this REAL fast riding dirt bikes/quads for years....its a complete neccesity

[Ligouri Rd]

I see no way that a push start could effect the Catalytic converter (that cat thing in fairly applicable in my house). At startup the cat isnt even lit off yet, that happens a few moments (minutes) after the engine is running. As for damaging anything else, the only thing I can think of is the clutch. I think more damage occurs by slipping the clutch than a sudden engagement. When I have to coast for a long time (mile and a half long stretch up to and down a clover leaf), I commonly shut off the engine and drop the clutch just before coming to a complete stop to re-start it.

[rek916]

For a good month this past winter season, I've had the 'joy' of having to push start my 240 all over town. I alson wondered if it would take long term damage on the vehicle, but eveything kept going fine.

It just sucks, when you're trying to hang out w/ ur girlfreind, and you gotta tell her "aye babe, clutch kick the car while I push, aight?"

haha, fun times!

[bcar240]

I just looked it up in my owner's manual.

[quote=""nissan owner's manual""]Three-way catalyst equipped models should not be started by pushing since the three-way catalyst may be damaged.[/quote]Now if it does any significant damage, I have no idea.

[dfw240_EE]

Most manuals just say "Push starting the vehicle is not recommended". I think it is a legal CYA thing.

Like bcar240 said, push the car to get it moving, then jump in. I would laugh till my sides hurt if he missed getting in the car and the thing just went rolling right on down the hill. I shouldn't laugh, but I would

That sort of stuff is what I think Nissan is worried of, or pushstarting stressing and breaking some component and someone sues. I know it sounds like a stupid lawsuit, but then so was the "hot coffee" lawsuit.

[Neejay]

It just sucks, when you're trying to hang out w/ ur girlfreind, and you gotta tell her "aye babe, clutch kick the car while I push, aight?"

That right there does the most damage^