Engine off, lights on...

[PaleMelanesian]

If I'm at >5mph, I do a smooth bump-start, then put it into gear.
From a stop, of course, I use the key.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by bdesj

if my brakes are affected, I haven`t been observant enough to notice. Thanks for bringing that one up, though.

The brakes aren't affected right away, they'll remain assisted for a (short) while / limited number of brake applications.

Try it out on a deserted road how often, and how hard you can still brake with the engine off.

[Weather Spotter]

How to restart? I put it back into gear and let off the clutch enough to turn over the engine then I push the clutch back out.then I put it into the gear I want and go.

[bdesj]

I`ve been bump starting when possible too, but never gave any thought to being smooth about it- usually just dump the clutch . Having read how most people seem to put as much finesse into it as into clutching to start moving, I`ll go that route from now on.

I have a doctor`s appointment in town Tuesday and will probably drive there, so a new method to practice (smoooooth bumping with double clutch) and an experiment (see how my brakes act with engine off) should keep my mind off the doc`s bill. Silver lining in every cloud.

[brucepick]

You definitely should have a digital voltmeter if your eoc'ing. With lights on or off. My opinion of course. Since your car is a '94 it won't take a ScanGauge so you'll have to wire up a voltmeter. Newer cars can get Volts from a ScanGauge.

How to restart? This has been posted here before but...
If rolling, let out clutch partway and just briefly, in 4th of 5th gear. Just enough to spin the engine a bit. Just a quick up-down on the pedal. It will catch. Then with pedal back down, put it in a gear appropriate for your speed, and let it up again.

A kill switch is a great thing to have for eoc. But you certainly can do it with the key. Just be sure not to turn it too far and lock the steering. Experiment with car stopped first.

[bdesj]

Originally Posted by brucepick

You definitely should have a digital voltmeter if your eoc'ing. With lights on or off. My opinion of course.

Why do you see a voltmeter as a necessity for EOC with lights off? Why specifically digital?

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by bdesj

Why do you see a voltmeter as a necessity for EOC with lights off? Why specifically digital?

A lot of newer cars have a lot of phantom loads with the key in the on position, heck my electric car draws 3.5amps of 48v power just to run contactors and indirectly run the dash & charge the aux battery, no small number

[RH77]

I rarely have a problem, including on an old 8-year batt (which, in full disclosure) was recently replaced by choice because the car sat for a few months and the battery lost conditioning.

The vehicles you may have to watch are those built in the last 5-years or so. Remember: higher compression ratios requires more cranking amps. For me, reliance on the battery for A/C air recirc with med-hi fan while sitting/waiting, with headlights, radio, and other "phantom loads" led to a dead battery twice -- it was replaced within the last year on the '06 Acura TSX that succumb to the issue. Older models don't suffer nearly as much...

EDIT: While storm-spotting, I often need large power draws to transmit radio communications. It's not as exciting as TV would promote: it takes a lot of sitting and waiting. During rain, running the wipers, A/C recirc for defogging during heavy rain, and maintaining radio comm, quickly dwindles the available voltage with the engine off. On the Integra, I would start-up and charge the system when the SG-II voltmeter showed 11.0V or less. In this situation a dead battery could leave you in the path of something rather unpleasant...

RH77

[stovie]

If power becomes the issue then just add a 2nd battery that has a isolating charger from the alternater and have it that only the starter is on that battery and maybe the starter switch selinoid, would help avoid alot of dead battery problems!!!!!

[DonR]

Some people here have made auxillary brake vaccum resevoirs out of PVC pipe I think. I'm sure you'll be able to find a write up somewhere.

Don