Push start

Push starting, also known as, roll starting, clutch starting, popping the clutch or crash starting, is a method of starting a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine that has a manual transmission, a mechanical fuel pump, and a mechanically driven generator or alternator. By pushing or letting the vehicle roll downhill then engaging the clutch at the appropriate speed the engine will turn over and start.^[1] The technique is most commonly employed when other starting methods (automobile self starter, kick start, jump start etc.) are unavailable.^[2]

The most common way to push start a vehicle is to put the manual transmission in second gear, switching the ignition to on/run, depressing the clutch, and pushing the vehicle until it is at a speed of 5 to 10 mph (8 to 16 km/h) or more, then quickly engaging the clutch to make the engine rotate and start while keeping the gas pedal partially depressed, then quickly disengaging the clutch so it does not stall.