Is it possible to start an automatic transmission from a pusher: consequences for automatic transmission


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).

Best answer

    • 30

    blblblbl 8 (115652)815115 6 years

    You can't go far. Otherwise, put it in neutral and push it manually. The oil pump does not work, you cannot tow it, the box will be covered. More precisely, it is possible, but you have to be able to) For everyone else - “you can’t”)

    By the way, you can use long wires. Welding, with a cross-section of 25 squares or more. You can remove the battery, put the donor in, drive away, put yours in) light a cigarette. You can not remove yours. Just bring the donor and light a cigarette. You don't have to drive there by car

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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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How to replace an automatic transmission with a manual transmission in your garage

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.

Incorrect maintenance

1. Untimely replacement of working fluid

Although some car manufacturers do not require changing the fluid in the machine in order to reduce the cost of ownership, in fact this is an extremely necessary procedure. It’s not without reason that the gearbox manufacturers themselves recommend changing the lubricant at least every 60 thousand kilometers. The oil loses its properties, its viscosity changes, the amount of wear products increases, filters become clogged - all this negatively affects the service life of the machine.

Monitoring the fluid level in the automatic transmission

Of course, an automatic transmission is not an engine; it should not have “normal waste” of fluid, but on older gearboxes the oil level may be low both due to leaky seals and due to incorrect assessment of the level when replacing the fluid. Please note that overfilling is just as dangerous as underfilling: a high level causes foaming of the liquid and malfunction of the valve body.


The transmission fluid ensures torque transmission, lubricates, cools, and creates the required pressure in the actuators.

The transmission fluid ensures torque transmission, lubricates, cools, and creates the required pressure in the actuators.

Mixing incompatible fluids or using a non-recommended fluid

In the case of gearboxes, only compatible fluids can be added. If it comes to replacement and you try to fill in something incorrectly, then the mixing of fluids will occur in a one to one ratio, because a very large part of the old fluid will remain in the box and torque converter. And all this will give a sediment, coagulate... Do you need this?


Check the compatibility of automatic transmission fluids.

Check the compatibility of automatic transmission fluids.

Cleanliness of the automatic transmission radiator

Some gearboxes are so loaded that they cannot do without an additional cooling radiator for the working fluid. A radiator covered with dirt leads to overheating and rapid degradation of the fluid, up to the complete loss of its working properties.

Excessive enthusiasm for protecting the engine compartment

Protection of the power unit, if it is poorly designed, can not only prevent troubles from road irregularities, but also deprive the automatic transmission of airflow while driving, which will certainly lead to overheating.

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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 drive an automatic car correctly

Vehicle typeEvent
A car equipped with a carburetor engineBefore 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 injectorno 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:

  1. Accelerate up to 30 km/h.
  2. Set the ignition to position III, thereby ensuring that power is supplied to the main vehicle systems.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. After the car engine starts, the clutch is depressed and the gearshift lever is moved to neutral.
  6. 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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Don't touch N

First of all, you need to remember that you cannot drive an automatic in the same way as a manual. That is, it is forbidden to put the transmission into neutral during temporary stops at traffic lights or in traffic jams. The fact is that the N operating mode of the automatic machine is intended only for towing over short distances. When the selector is moved to N, a set of operations is activated that prepare the transmission for emergency transportation. Friction mechanisms change the specifics of the meshing of planetary gears. The oil pump that pumps oil into the transmission also reduces power. Thus, the intensity of lubricant circulation is reduced.

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Naturally, emergency transportation does not always occur. The equipment is designed to perform this operation once a month or less. However, turning on neutral on an automatic transmission several dozen times a day, and even trying to tuck it in for coasting at high speed, end in annoying and expensive transmission breakdowns.

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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How to properly warm up a car with an 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.

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