How to Start a Car
The first thing you will need is a vehicle. Assuming you have one, the next step is to get in the vehicle, in the driver’s seat. Then wear your seat belt.
For most vehicles, you will need to take the key that came with the vehicle, or a copy, and insert it into the ignition. This is often near the steering wheel and is a round piece of metal with writing with a keyhole in it. Insert the key all the way into the ignition after you find it.
After inserting the key, you will take the hand you inserted it with, and using your fingers, twist the key. Make sure you don’t pull the key out doing so. If it does not turn one way, then try the other direction.
If the vehicle has a steering lock engaged you will often have to jiggle the steering wheel a little to allow the keys to turn.
Before you turn the key, you will want to know what to do with your feet.
If the car has a manual transmission the car will have a clutch pedal. It is important to make sure the transmission gear shift is in neutral before attempting to start the car.
If the vehicle is in gear, starting the engine will result in unwanted vehicle movement. Some (not all) standard shift cars are equipped with a clutch safety switch which interrupts the electricity to the starter unless the clutch is fully depressed. With the clutch depressed the engine is mechanically disconnected from the transmission so the car cannot move. Once the engine is running, DO NOT release the clutch until you have verified the transmission is in neutral. Releasing the clutch with the transmission in gear will result in sudden vehicle movement.
If the car has an automatic transmission the car won’t have a clutch pedal but it will be equipped with a neutral safety switch. The neutral safety switch prevents the starter from engaging unless the shift selector is in the “P” or “N” positions. Like the clutch safety switch mentioned above, the neutral safety prevents unintended vehicle movement.
To pump or not to pump, that is the question. Whether it’s nobler to leave the gas pedal alone or pump like crazy. To answer the question of what to do with the gas pedal two pieces of information are required. First you need to know if the vehicle is fuel injected or has a carburetor. If you don’t know and the car was made before 1990, assume the car has a carburetor. (nearly all cars after 1990 are fuel injected). Fuel injected cars don’t require gas pedal action.
If the car has a carburetor, use of the gas pedal will change depending whether the engine is hot or cold. A hot engine refers to one that has been recently running. Sitting in the sun on a warm summer day won’t do it. The engine on that car is still considered cold. A warm engine usually requires no gas pedal use. If pumping the gas on a warm carburetor engine is required, then something is wrong and the engine needs service. If the engine is cold, more fuel will be required to get the car started. In this case depress the gas pedal once and release it. This will cause the carburetor’s choke to close and a small amount of fuel to be squirted into the engine. Each time you depress the gas pedal on a car equipped with a carburetor, more liquid gas will be squirted into the engine. Too much and you may “flood” the engine with fuel. Liquid fuel does not easily burn and flooding may prevent the engine from starting. (See the tip on starting a flooded engine)
You should feel several ‘steps’ in the resistance to the turning of the key, you will want to continue turning it until you can hear the engine turn over. Most commonly this is at the end of the path that the key will travel in it’s turn. After the vehicle has started, let go of the key.