How to Push Start an Automatic Transmission Car

1. Safety First

Before you attempt to push start an automatic transmission car, it’s important to take some safety precautions.

Make sure the car is in a safe location, away from traffic.
Engage the parking brake.
Remove the key from the ignition.
Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery terminal.

2. Find a Helper

You’ll need at least one helper to push start an automatic transmission car. If you don’t have a helper, you can try to push the car yourself, but it will be more difficult.

3. Get the Car Rolling

Once you have a helper, have them get in the driver’s seat and turn the ignition to the “on” position. You’ll need to push the car until it reaches a speed of about 5 mph.

4. Shift into Neutral

Once the car is moving, shift the transmission into neutral.

5. Start the Engine

While the car is still moving, have your helper turn the ignition to the “start” position. The engine should start within a few seconds.

6. Reconnect the Battery

Once the engine is running, stop the car and reconnect the negative battery terminal.

7. Drive Safely

Once the car is started, drive it for a few minutes to make sure the battery is fully charged. You can then turn off the engine and restart it normally.

Tips

If you have a hill to push the car up, it will be more difficult. You may need to get more help or find a different way to start the car.
Don’t push the car too fast. If you push it too fast, the engine may not start.
Once the engine is started, let it idle for a few minutes before driving it. This will give the battery time to charge.