Which gear should be used for pushing a car?
4 Answers
Push the car in N gear. The meanings of each letter in an automatic transmission are as follows: 1. P stands for Parking gear, also known as the starting gear; 2. R stands for Reverse gear; 3. N stands for Neutral gear; 4. D stands for Drive gear, also known as the driving gear; 5. L stands for Low gear; 6. S stands for Sport mode; 7. OD stands for Overdrive gear. An automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on the driving speed and traffic conditions, with power transmitted through the automatic transmission. Automatic transmissions are categorized into: hydraulic automatic transmissions, hydrostatic automatic transmissions, and electric automatic transmissions.
To push-start a manual transmission car, you need to use second gear for it to work. My friend once got his car started this way when the battery was dead. The specific steps are: first, engage second gear and press the clutch, have someone push the car until it reaches roughly running speed, then suddenly release the clutch. The engine will be turned over by the wheels. Never use third gear—the speed won’t be enough and the engine might stall. First gear isn’t ideal either, as the wheels will only turn halfway before the engine struggles. Forget about push-starting an automatic transmission car—you can only push it in neutral to move it. Remember to turn the ignition switch on to unlock the steering wheel before pushing, and it’s best to push downhill if on a slope.
Once when my car battery died, I successfully started it by pushing with three or four people: for manual transmissions, you must use second gear. In this gear, the wheels turn twice for every engine revolution, providing just enough force to turn the crankshaft. Keep the clutch depressed while pushing, and only release it abruptly when the speed exceeds 5 km/h. For automatic transmissions, you can only move in Neutral (N), but be aware that you can only push a few meters before the driveshaft locks, or the planetary gears in the transmission will suffer. Be cautious of slipping when pushing on wet concrete; it's best to place a brick behind the wheels to prevent rolling.
Pushing a manual transmission car requires considering two scenarios—shifting to neutral is the easiest for simply moving the car, but pushing to start must be done in second gear. I've seen people try pushing in first gear; the car barely moves two meters before the pushers are exhausted. The principle is simple: the second gear's gear ratio allows the wheel inertia to turn the engine. When the speed is sufficient, releasing the clutch at the right moment will produce a 'click' sound, indicating a successful start. Automatic transmission owners should just call for roadside assistance—forcing a push not only won't start the car but can also damage the bearings since the transmission oil pump isn't working.
