Can You Push-Start an Automatic Car with a Dead Battery?
2 Answers
You cannot push-start an automatic car with a dead battery; instead, you should use jumper cables from another vehicle. Reasons why push-starting doesn't work: Automatic transmission vehicles are equipped with a torque converter, which requires hydraulic power to transmit force. Therefore, no matter how you push the car, the engine crankshaft cannot be rotated by the wheels. Precautions for jump-starting: Before connecting the jumper cables to the donor vehicle, always turn off its engine first; after connecting the cables to the donor car, ensure the positive and negative clamps do not touch each other, as short-circuiting is extremely dangerous; when removing the jumper cables, always disconnect the negative clamp first, followed by the positive clamp.
I've been driving for decades and have encountered several instances where an automatic transmission car ran out of battery. Once, my car stalled in a parking lot, and I tried push-starting it, only to waste my effort and nearly strain my back. The reason is simple: unlike manual transmissions that have a clutch, pushing the wheels of an automatic car won't directly turn the engine. Instead, it might damage internal components or just spin uselessly. The best solution is to use jumper cables with another car for a jump-start or keep a portable jump starter handy. Regularly check the battery voltage, avoid running electrical devices for too long in cold weather to prevent sudden battery failure. If all else fails, calling roadside assistance is the safest and most convenient option.
