How to Start a CarEdited by Nicole Willson and 38 others

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Millions of people drive cars every day. The first thing that they have to do to drive, is to get the car started. This covers how to start most types of road-based vehicles.

Edit Steps1.1

The first thing you will need is a vehicle. Assuming you have one, the next step is to get in the vehicle, in the driver's seat. Then wear your seat belt.

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2.2

For most vehicles, you will need to take the key that came with the vehicle, or a copy, and insert it into the ignition. This is often near the steering wheel and is a round piece of metal with writing with a keyhole in it. Insert the key all the way into the ignition after you find it.

3.3

After inserting the key, you will take the hand you inserted it with, and using your fingers, twist the key. Make sure you don't pull the key out doing so. If it does not turn one way, then try the other direction. If that doesn't work, try pressing firmly on the brake pedal, then turning the key. This is a safety feature that is included with some newer vehicles. Hopefully, the car will now vibrate a little to assure you that it's on. If you have a car that has a push button start, read directions about how to start it safely.

4.4

If the vehicle has a steering lock engaged you will often have to jiggle the steering wheel a little to allow the keys to turn.

5.5

Before you turn the key, you will want to know what to do with your feet.

6.6

If the car has a manual transmission the car will have a clutch pedal. It is important to make sure the transmission gear shift is in neutral before attempting to start the car.

7.7

If the vehicle is in gear, starting the engine will result in unwanted vehicle movement. Some (not all) standard shift cars are equipped with a clutch safety switch which interrupts the electricity to the starter unless the clutch is fully depressed. With the clutch depressed the engine is mechanically disconnected from the transmission so the car cannot move. Once the engine is running, DO NOT release the clutch until you have verified the transmission is in neutral. Releasing the clutch with the transmission in gear will result in sudden vehicle movement.

8.8

If the car has an automatic transmission the car won't have a clutch pedal but it will be equipped with a neutral safety switch. The neutral safety switch prevents the starter from engaging unless the shift selector is in the "P" or "N" positions. Like the clutch safety switch mentioned above, the neutral safety prevents unintended vehicle movement.

9.9

To pump or not to pump, that is the question. Whether it's nobler to leave the gas pedal alone or pump like crazy. To answer the question of what to do with the gas pedal two pieces of information are required. First you need to know if the vehicle is fuel injected or has a carburetor. If you don't know and the car was made before 1990, assume the car has a carburetor. (nearly all cars after 1990 are fuel injected). Fuel injected cars don't require gas pedal action.

10. 10

If the car has a carburetor, use of the gas pedal will change depending whether the engine is hot or cold. A hot engine refers to one that has been recently running. Sitting in the sun on a warm summer day won't do it. The engine on that car is still considered cold. A warm engine usually requires no gas pedal use. If pumping the gas on a warm carburetor engine is required, then something is wrong and the engine needs service. If the engine is cold, more fuel will be required to get the car started. In this case pump the gas pedal about 1-2 times, try to start it and if it fails give it a few more pumps. This will cause the carburetor's choke to close and a small amount of fuel to be squirted into the engine. Each time you depress the gas pedal on a car equipped with a carburetor, more liquid gas will be squirted into the engine. Too much and you may "flood" the engine with fuel. Liquid fuel does not easily burn and flooding may prevent the engine from starting. (See the tip on starting a flooded engine)

11. 11You should feel several 'steps' in the resistance to the turning of the key, you will want to continue turning it until you can hear the engine turn over. Most commonly this is at the end of the path that the key will travel in it's turn. After the vehicle has started, let go of the key.

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Edit Tips If you have a remote with your keys, you might have a way to turn your car on

with a simple click of a button. Know your vehicle first. It saves time and energy to know exactly where to put

the key. Make sure you have the right key. Many modern cars have anti-theft systems

that prevent the car from starting if the wrong key is used. If your key has a "chip" near the base or a transponder built into the head; then even a copy of the key won't work. It may unlock the ignition lock, but turning it will not start the car.

To keep the vehicle from rolling, on standard shift cars, set the parking brake before depressing the clutch.

For a diesel vehicle, you will want to warm up the glow plugs (GM, Ford) or grid heater (Dodge) first. Refer to the Related articles for more information.

For a vehicle with a push-button ignition, you will want to push the ignition button, after doing any steps that you need to do beforehand.

Flooded engine. If the engine has been flooded with liquid fuel depress the gas pedal fully to the floor and crank the engine over. A fully depressed pedal will allow extra air into the engine to dry out the extra fuel. You may have to crank the engine longer than normal to get it to start. When it starts, release the gas.Ads by GoogleVideo transmission 1.4GHz to 24GHz / 10mW to 10W (HF) Mobile / Indoor / Outdoor / OEMwww.vtq.de

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Motor Push Button Switch

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Edit Warnings If the car won't start, don't just keep cranking the engine. Do not crank the engine

longer than 60 seconds in any five minute period. The starter needs to cool between uses. Fail to follow this rule and you burn up the starter and it will need to be replaced. Besides, if the engine won't start in 60 seconds, there is something wrong that requires professional help.

If you keep the key turned as far as it will go after the engine is running, you will hear a very ugly sound. The gears in the starter motor and the gears in the engine will be grinding together. This is of course very unprofessional and also bad for the car.

SAFETY FIRST!: Ensure that the vehicle is not in gear before turning the ignition key. If it is in gear, the vehicle will lurch forward (or backward if it is in reverse) when the engine 'turns over'. This could damage anything, or ANYBODY! standing in front of (or behind) the vehicle. If you don't know how to ensure the particular vehicle is not in gear, you should not be attempting to start it!!!

NEVER attempt to start a vehicle if you are not competent to do so! Try to do it under instruction from somebody who is competent!

REMEMBER: Cars and other vehicles are not toys or play things. In the hands of a person who has not been taught to drive, or who is otherwise not fit to drive, they are likely to cause serious injury or death.

Edit Things You'll Need A Car in a working condition Keys (if available)