Bump Starting and Engine/Tranny Damage??

[lnmcmahan]

Originally Posted by Siaharok

What are the opinions regarding potential damage to the car from bump starting? I recently bought a new Honda Fit, and I am hesitant to bump start it (although I've already tried the technique described here). Can anyone ease my fears?

Thanks in advance.

Is this a manual transmission FIT. I have a 2007 FIT, and I bump start it constantly. Although most of the time I can hardly feel the "bump."

Larry

[Siaharok]

Is this a manual transmission FIT. I have a 2007 FIT, and I bump start it constantly. Although most of the time I can hardly feel the "bump."

Thanks for the input. Yes, mine is a 5 speed manual. Like you, I hardly feel the "bump" when I use the techniques that basjoos described. But with a new car, I want to be sure that I'm not doing any damage.

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by Siaharok

Thanks for the input. Yes, mine is a 5 speed manual. Like you, I hardly feel the "bump" when I use the techniques that basjoos described. But with a new car, I want to be sure that I'm not doing any damage.

Welcome to CleanMPG, Siaharok. I can tell you that while bump starting does indeed cause a bit of mechanical resistance, which is how this starts the engine, there is much less force applied than shifting at high RPM and/or under heavy acceleration.

Also keep in mind that a hypermiler does not typically shift roughly at all, so when combined with our light acceleration and otherwise easy-going handling of the car, even if you bump start dozens of times per day you are still putting less wear and tear on your vehicle than the typical Fit driver does.

The folks that do indeed need to worry about premature clutch and transmission wear are those that "drive it like they stole it".

[Siaharok]

Thanks for that, Bailout. It puts things in perspective. And I'm glad to hear it, because I'm really enjoying bump starting my Fit.

[psychojuggalo17]

sorry, im new, but im guessing bump starting is only ok with manuals? if not how would u bump start with an auto(considering u only have 1,2, n D to play with....)

[nissynis]

Wow, I've been doing the bump start wrong for weeks. I bet I'm not the only one. I think I had been "dumping", because I'd been restarting the car by letting out the clutch all the way, bringing the RPMs up to about 2200, then depressing the clutch and choosing the right gear.

Yesterday and today, I'm letting out the clutch with a quick pop, and then, probably only about halfway or so. Then I'm immediately pushing it back in. There is a strange delay between the pop and the tach needle lifting off of 0, and it only goes to about 1200 or so. Then I am safe to put it in the best gear.

To the experts: does it sound like I'm doing it right now?

[PaleMelanesian]

Sounds about right. The strange delay may mean you need to pop it up a little higher. At this point it's a matter of finesse and learning your car.

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by psychojuggalo17

sorry, im new, but im guessing bump starting is only ok with manuals? if not how would u bump start with an auto(considering u only have 1,2, n D to play with....)

Hello, psychojuggalo17. Yes, this only works with manual transmissions. Automatic transmissions cannot be bump started.

[basjoos]

Originally Posted by Siaharok

What are the opinions regarding potential damage to the car from bump starting? I recently bought a new Honda Fit, and I am hesitant to bump start it (although I've already tried the technique described here). Can anyone ease my fears?

Thanks in advance.

I have 473,000 miles on my transmission with the original clutch and I've been bump starting for years.

[nissynis]

Originally Posted by basjoos

I have 473,000 miles on my transmission with the original clutch and I've been bump starting for years.

Wait, did you say "473,000 miles"? Is the clutch the only OEM part left?