What are the reasons why a car cannot start but can be push-started?
2 Answers
The reasons why a car cannot start but can be push-started are: 1. Insufficient battery power: In winter, the most direct impact on urban family cars is the battery. At low temperatures, the car's power consumption is significantly higher than in other seasons, and the battery's capacity also decreases due to the cold environment. 2. Restricted oil flow: This is more noticeable in extremely cold northern cities. 3. Frozen exhaust pipe or carbon buildup in the electronic throttle: Frozen exhaust pipes mainly occur in cars that are driven short distances between home and work, with low usage frequency. The water vapor from engine combustion freezes in certain parts of the exhaust pipe, and short trips are not enough to melt this ice. After a night, more ice forms, which over time affects the vehicle's starting and exhaust functions.
The most common reason a car won't start is a dead or aging battery, where insufficient power prevents the starter from turning the engine. As an auto repair technician, I've seen this situation countless times, especially in cold weather when battery performance declines faster. Push-starting works because manually pushing the car makes the wheels rotate the engine, using inertia to ignite and start the engine, bypassing the starter's demand. If push-starting succeeds, it basically confirms battery or starting circuit issues. But if even push-starting fails, then you'll need to check the ignition system, fuel pump, or sensor malfunctions - those are more complex and require professional diagnosis. I recommend regularly checking the battery's age and voltmeter readings to prevent such emergencies from disrupting your trips, and to be prepared for quick fixes. Remember, push-starting is only suitable for flat roads or gentle slopes and requires coordination with others - safety first, don't force it if conditions aren't right.
