Just got to wondering - has anyone ever roll-started an S? Is it as easy as starting any other straight drive? Do you have to hold in the Start button when you pop the clutch?

 

I've never had to do it, but I can't think of any reason why it would be different than push-starting any other car.

No, you do not need to push the start button while releasing the clutch. (You don't need to turn the key when releasing the clutch in any other car.)

 

Well, its my understanding the should be "on" so you can turn the wheel, etc, but I wasn't sure about the start button.

 

Because of the high compression, turn the key on, stick it in 2nd and then pop the clutch. No need for the start button.

Learned the hard way....

 

Let's analyze what happens here:
[fun mode]1. What happens when you push the starter button ....................
-an electrical circuit is completed
-a solenoid activates and opens a little trap door
-through this trap door falls a precisely measured quantity of small animal feed pellets
-these pellets fall in front of and just beyond the reach of a group of little wheels hooked up in parallel
-inside each wheel is a hampster
-the hampsters sees the food and starts to run towards it, making the wheel spin
-the group of wheels is connected to the flywheel via a set of toothed cogs
-the flywheel gets turned
-the engine starts

2. What happens when you "bump start" the same car ...........................
-all else beginning the same as in example #1 (tranny in neutral, clutch to floor, ignition to ON)
-car is pushed to an appropriate speed that would approximate the speed of the hampster wheels
-when up to speed, engage a forward gear (2nd will do nicely)
-release clutch abruptly
-as soon as engine fires, "feather" the clutch and drive away
-if you don't want to go anywhere yet, push in clutch, pull over to a safe place, stop car, get a hold of your senses, then continue on your way like you normally would.[/fun mode]

If you hadn't figured it out yet, "bump" starting a car is done when there is something wrong with the starting system of your car - you know, that thing that is connected to your starter "button"? (Because, if your starting system works, why the heck would you want to push a 3000 lb. car?)

 

Well, The S is so reliable, I miss having to roll-start my cars!

 

Roll starting is a ton of fun....I alway's make sure I push it up hill so the fun last longer...You should try it sometime.

 

XViper: It's amazing your car even starts. How do you keep those poor hampsters warm in your part of the world man? Where is the opening to refill the feeder with pellets... secret compartment?

 

My battery reached the end of its life about a month ago in my 2002. I was in the parking lot of home depot and had to push start the car. It's so light and so little friction while rolling that I was able to push her myself up to about 8 mph. I had the ignition key on, I jumped in, put her in 1st gear and popped the clutch. Started right up.

Then like an idiot, instead of getting a new battery, or driving home, I stopped at Chili's to have dinner, completely forgot about the battery and once again found myself rolling my car through the parking lot. Kinda embarrassing, but started right up again.

 

You heard of a block heater did'nt you?
Never heard of Hampsters heater???