How to smoothly bump start / clutch start an engine

[Daox]

#1 is the correct way to do things. If its not starting, the only thing I can think of is that you need to let the cutch out a tiny bit more to spin the engine up a little faster.

[justjohn]

Ok cool. So then back to my original question: Why is it better to do it that way?

[Daox]

Better than your #2 way of starting? Mostly because its easier and can be done with less distraction from driving. But, by just brushing the clutch against the flywheel, and then rev matching, you have less clutch wear too.

[justjohn]

Okay thanks. I will play around with it again and see if I can get it working better. I am keeping it in high gear not going super fast so the rev match point isn't all that far above idle anyway, but I will shoot for optimal.

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by justjohn

Ok cool. So then back to my original question: Why is it better to do it that way?

Less wear on your ignition system (ie. starter) and your "keyhole" mechanism.

It also uses less gas to bump start because you can fire up the car without the need for the fuel injectors to squirt fuel.

[alternativefuelconversion]

Good tip! Been using this method to start when my battery is dead for a long time.

[pete c]

Excellent thread. Haven't read all the way through, but, I think I have a post or two somewhere in there.

I have been bump starting for as long as I have been driving, about 35 years. Thought I had it down pretty well but did find improvement in following the initial post of the thread. It had not occurred to me to immediately disengage right after engaging. This definitely does improve smoothness. I even do it if I am at higher speeds and will remain in 5th gear.

I do have something to add though. Most of the posts say start in desired gear + 1 or +2. I simplify this to pretty much always start in 5th at anything more than about 10 mph. This of course, applies to my Sonata, which has a fairly short 5th gear. (I regularly find myself looking for 6th gear) A car with taller gears would mean going to the X+1,2 or 3 formula at a higher speed. In cases where I need to restart at a slow roll, I generally go to 3rd for the restart