Stuck on the road? Jumper cables at home in the garage? If your car won't start you can get it moving with a roll start as a temporary solution. Also known as a push start, roll starting a vehicle is an option for emergencies only, when calling a tow truck or jump starting with battery cables is not an option.
Make sure your vehicle has a manual transmission and that the emergency brake is on. A vehicle with automatic transmission can't be roll started. You must have a clutch pedal and be able to put the car in gear yourself. The emergency brake should be on before beginning a roll start. If the emergency brake is off, the car can begin rolling when you don't want it to.
Find help to push the vehicle. Don't attempt to roll start a car by yourself. You need help to push the vehicle up to a velocity that will engage the transmission once it's time to pop the clutch. Make sure the roadway is free of pedestrians and traffic before beginning a roll start.
Turn the key in your ignition to the "on" position. When you turn your key as far as it will go, that is the start position. The "on" position is just before the start position, where your key would naturally land after a normal start.
Take the emergency brake off and begin your roll while holding the clutch in. Make sure the car is in gear. Keep holding the clutch in as you continue rolling. Communicate with your helpers at all times and maintain control of the steering wheel.
Pop the clutch after the vehicle gains enough speed. The car should be in first or second gear. A first gear start will be jerkier than a second gear start the faster you are rolling. Between five and ten mph should be sufficient enough speed kick the transmission in.
If the roll start doesn't work bring the car to a stop by pulling the emergency brake and pressing the brake pedal at the same time. Repeat steps one through five, only this time wait to pop the clutch until you gain a little more velocity. If that doesn't work it's time to call a tow truck.
