There is an opinion that a car equipped with an automatic transmission cannot be started from a pusher, and attempts made may lead to transmission failure. Let's try to figure this out.
With the onset of cold weather, car enthusiasts are faced with the impossibility of starting their car in the standard way. If attempts to revive the battery by charging or “lighting up” using wires from another car are unsuccessful, then you can try to start the vehicle from a pusher. If owners of a manual transmission do not experience any problems when starting from a pusher, then the owners of a car with an automatic transmission are faced with the question: is it possible to start the engine in this way.
Will the pushrod automatic transmission start or not?
It will not be possible to force the engine to work from the pusher automatically, since to start it there must be pressure in the gearbox, and this occurs when the vehicle speed is around 15-30 km/h. In automatic transmissions, a pump is installed, with the help of which oil pressure is created, and it begins to work when the engine is running.
Although there are vehicles whose automatic transmission is equipped with two oil pumps, for example, the Mercedes-Benz brand. The second pump of the automatic transmission starts pumping oil and makes the engine work when starting from the pushrod.
In such cases, it is possible to start a car with an automatic transmission from a pusher.
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In theory it looks like this:
- set the automatic transmission selector to neutral;
- we attach the cable to another car, which, having started moving, should not allow a speed of more than 30 km/h;
- turn the ignition key to the “On” position;
- move the automatic transmission selector to low gear;
- move your foot to the accelerator.
If after a couple of attempts, there is not a single hint that the engine will start, then it is better to stop manipulating this type of starting a car with an automatic transmission and find a tow truck. Otherwise, the automatic transmission may break. It must be remembered that towing a vehicle with an automatic transmission using a cable can lead to further gearbox malfunction.
When asked whether it is possible to start an automatic transmission from a pushrod, the answer is no, and you shouldn’t even try (unless you own a Mercedes-Benz with an automatic transmission in a W124 body).
Emergency engine start from a tug
In theory, it is possible to move a car with an automatic transmission without a starter if you accelerate the car to 40 km/h. This speed is sufficient to create the necessary oil pressure in the box.
Before starting the towing process, you should take into account the individual characteristics of the vehicle, what type of gearbox it has and the model of the power plant. Cars with automatic transmissions are distinguished by the fact that there is no rigid connection between the engine and the gearbox when the engine is turned off.
Therefore, you should carry a towing rope with you in your car. When this procedure occurs, a rigid coupling must be ensured; it is not recommended to make sudden movements during transportation.
Also, you need to make sure that the transmission fluid level in the automatic transmission is normal. However, it is better to call a tow truck if the car stalls on the road; do not take any action to tow the vehicle if in doubt.
How will the automatic transmission and variator react to a push start?
When a car with an automatic transmission is started from a tow or pusher, torque is transmitted from the spinning wheels to the car engine through the automatic transmission. Accordingly, in cars with an automatic transmission or a variator, the pump begins to supply oil to the car with the engine running. That is, the connection made through the gearbox selector from the wheels to the engine will be interrupted and the car will not be able to start. Accordingly, by torturing the box, the machine can be taken out of action.
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What happens if you pour ATF oil into an automatic transmission?
Cars with a transmission in which gear shifting is done using a servo drive can, in some cases, operate with a pusher. In particular, when pushing cars equipped with simple “robots”, for example, installed on the Lada Priora.
It is better not to conduct experiments on complex boxes (for example, DSG). And on certain models of simple robots it is necessary to start from a pusher only in exceptional cases, otherwise the service life of the gearbox will be much less than the period declared by the manufacturer.
Types of automatic transmissions and their features
Some motorists think that manufacturers are playing it safe by prohibiting them, but this is not the case. To understand why it is impossible to start an automatic machine from a pusher, as well as how to do this in exceptional cases, you need to delve a little into the theory.
How to start a machine gun from a pusher: the theoretical part
How to push start a car with different types of automatic transmission
A prerequisite for starting a car engine from a tow is the presence of a rigid connection with the wheels. On a manual transmission, the crankshaft is connected to the input shaft through a friction clutch disc, and the drive shaft to the driven shaft (and this to the wheels) through gears connected by clutches. Different types of automatic transmissions do not have this tight linkage for various reasons described below.
Torque converter automatic
A classic hydraulic automatic transmission is connected to the engine not by a friction clutch, but by a torque converter (donut). In it, rotation is transmitted to the input (primary) shaft of the gearbox due to the pressure of the oil flow created by the drive impeller and acting on the driven impeller. In order for the motor to form a connection with the shaft, it must gain speed above idle. This is the first reason why the automatic machine cannot be started from a tow.
Torque converter design diagram
Gear shifting in an automatic transmission occurs not through rigid mechanical rods, but through hydraulic mechanisms. For the speed to turn on, the oil (ATF) in the box must be under pressure. And the pressure there is created by a pump on the input shaft, spun by the motor. While there is no pressure, the gear clutches are disengaged and the output (secondary) shaft, which transmits rotation to the wheels, is in no way connected with the primary one.
That is, no matter how the secondary shaft rotates from the wheels, the pump on the primary one will not be able to spin up, and there will be no pressure to turn on the speed. And if there is no gear engaged, there will be no transmission of rotation along the chain “secondary shaft – transmission gears – input shaft – donut – crankshaft.” That is why the answer to the question whether an automatic transmission can be started from a pusher is usually negative.
Robotic gearbox
A robotic gearbox (manual transmission) is an evolution of a conventional manual transmission, in which gear shifting is carried out not by the driver through a lever, but by a computer through servos. Therefore, theoretically, it is possible to start a car from a pusher using such an automatic machine. But in practice this is difficult to implement, since the servo drive must receive a command to engage the gear. And without the engine running, he can do this only on cars where emergency starting from a tug is provided by the developers, as well as on manual transmissions of early generations. Therefore, it is not always possible to start such an automatic machine from a pusher.
Variable speed drive
A variator (CVT) is a continuously variable automatic transmission that is connected to the engine through the same torque converter (donut) or a set of clutches (automatic clutch). The gear ratio in it changes due to changes in the diameter of the cone pulleys, drive and driven. The leader is connected to the motor, the slave is connected to the wheels. The diameter of the pulleys, like the gear ratios in a classic automatic transmission, changes under oil pressure. If it is not there, the belt may slip on the pulleys, and as a result, the box will quickly fail. So the variator is an almost 100% guarantee that it is impossible to start from a pusher.
How to push start a manual car
With a manual transmission, a push-start car starts without problems if you follow certain rules. In this case, when starting, you can use both a towed vehicle and the help of strangers.
The principle of operation is to start the engine not through the starter, but through the movement of the wheels of the drive drive, and a manual transmission, unlike an automatic transmission, allows you to start the car from a pusher.
Rules
Before starting activities to start a car, you need to know a number of rules on how to start a car from a pushrod.
You can start starting the engine with towing if the car’s brakes are fully operational. Then you need to find a car with a cable or men who will agree to accelerate the vehicle. Before you start driving, you need to discuss giving a stop sign: wave your hand, honk, blink your headlights (the last two options are valid if the battery is not completely discharged).
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How to start a car with an automatic transmission correctly and what to do if the battery is dead
| Vehicle type | Event |
| A car equipped with a carburetor engine | Before starting to move, you must pump the fuel with the accelerator. The main thing is not to pump or fill the candles with gasoline; two or three presses will be enough. |
| A car equipped with an engine with an injector | no pumping procedure is required, just insert the key into the lock and make sure the steering wheel is unlocked. |
Sequencing
To properly start the car engine, you need to take steps in the following order:
- Accelerate up to 30 km/h.
- Set the ignition to position III, thereby ensuring that power is supplied to the main vehicle systems.
- Depress the clutch and move the selector to 2nd or 3rd speed. If you engage first gear, large gear ratios will allow you to receive strong shock overloads.
- The clutch must be released before the driven disc and flywheel engage. After the car starts to jerk, you need to partially press the clutch and hold it for a certain time. The procedure will reduce the loads that the timing drive receives. If you release the pedal sharply, the engine will start, but the above method will help start the car in a more gentle way and reduce the overload received by the engine.
- After the car engine starts, the clutch is depressed and the gearshift lever is moved to neutral.
- Having started the car, you need to signal the driver of the towing car about the need to stop. After coming to a complete stop, you can remove the tow rope.
If the reason for the engine not starting was the battery, then you need to let the car engine run to charge the battery. It is advisable to turn off the car’s electrical appliances and let the engine run, maintaining a speed of about 2 thousand.
Although the method does not provide a 100% guarantee of starting the car, in most cases it still allows you to get the car engine to work.
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Why do you need neutral on an automatic transmission, switching and coasting on an automatic transmission?
How to start a Lada AMT 2182 robot from a pusher
VAZ engineers created an automated box and at the same time took care of starting from a tug when the battery ran out or the starter broke. Starting a car with a manual transmission 2182 is not much more difficult than with a manual transmission. To do this you need:
How to start a Lada automatically using a pushrod
- Hitch to the towing car, park the car on a slope, ask an assistant to push, or stand near the open driver's door yourself.
- Turn on the ignition and set the lever to neutral position.
- Give a signal to an assistant or start pushing the car yourself.
- Having picked up a speed of 7-8 km/h, jump into the cabin (if you are pushing yourself), turn the lever to position A.
- Press the accelerator pedal slightly.
After this, the box should engage first or second gear and the engine will start.
When you can't push start a car
In some cases, starting a vehicle from a pusher cannot be done. First of all, it is forbidden to start a car from a pusher with non-working brakes, especially when another vehicle is used for acceleration, and the restrictions apply to any type of car equipped with both a manual and automatic gearbox. In addition, it is extremely undesirable to start the car from a pusher in icy conditions, as the vehicle may skid, which can ultimately lead to an accident.
In general, during a forced start, car components receive heavy loads, and first of all, the valves and timing belt suffer. There is a risk that the belt may eventually slip and the owner may end up needing a major repair.
What to do alone
If you need to start the car and there is no one nearby, then don’t despair, there is a way that allows you to start the car alone.
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What is better to choose: repairing an automatic transmission or buying a contract automatic transmission
A slight slope is required for successful completion. The procedure is as follows:
- you need to install the car at the top of the slope, from where it will descend;
- neutral is set and the ignition is switched to position III;
- before starting the maneuver, you must make sure that there are no other road users in order to avoid dangerous situations;
- Having opened the door, you need to take the steering wheel with your right hand and push the car from the slope to jump into it;
- Having accelerated to at least 15 km/h, you need to depress the clutch pedal;
- Having switched the gearbox lever to second speed, you need to gradually remove your foot from the clutch, while at the same time, slowly pressing the gas pedal.
If you do everything correctly, the car engine will start after pushing alone.
Tips and tricks
In fact, you should adhere to a simple rule: after the car has come to a complete stop, the selector is switched to mode P - “parking”, then the engine can be turned off. The engine is also started in this mode.
We also note that when starting the engine, as a rule, you should take the recommendation to press the brake pedal all the way (even on a car where starting the internal combustion engine is possible without such pressing). If the engine starts on an automatic machine in “N” (neutral), then the brake must be depressed.
We also recommend reading the article on how to operate an automatic transmission correctly. From this article you will learn about basic recommendations regarding the operation of an automatic transmission.
Also, after pressing the brake pedal, you can immediately switch from “parking” to modes “D” or “R”, as well as other modes, which is very convenient for quickly starting to move. The fact is that without pressing the brake pedal, you still won’t be able to turn on such modes.
