I was on the highway on my way home from work the other night when my cell phone rang. So I reached into my right pocket to get it but my right knee somehow turned the key's position to off or acc because the tach and control lights went out. I hit the gas, nothing. I was in third gear and the car was coasting with no drag. I always thought that it would lock up if you turned it off in gear. Anyways, I didn't know what to do since you don't ignite the engine with the key, and I was doing 60 on the highway with cars all around. I turned the key back to on (clutch depressed) but I didn't want to hit engine start incase it was on. I let out the clutch, gave it gas and it went.

If you are confused, I was too. I'm still trying to figure out what I did. I need to get my handsfree kit in there (If it's worth it since the top is always down)

 

I'd say if you turned the key to the ignition "on" position the car will start if you're still in gear. You could always depress the clutch, use the starter button, start the engine, put it in the appropriate gear, match revs, and ease on down the road.

2x6

 

The engine won't lock up since you had some momentum while going 60 mph. The only problem with that is the oil pump may not have been supplying the engine with adequate oil during the "down-time".

Simply letting out the clutch while the key is in the start position will "reignite" the engine.

You must be tall to be able to hit the key and turn it to the "off" position. My leg gets hit by the dangling keys on the keychain.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by joe_s2k
[B]The engine won't lock up since you had some momentum while going 60 mph.

 

The UK instruction manual says that you shouldn't push start under any circumstances.

I seem to remember reading that this was due to the likelyhood of unburnt fuel being dumped into the catalyic converter and breaking it. My guess is that dropping the clutch while coasting could do the same thing....

 

On a recent trip to South Carolina from Cleveland my wife did the same thing in our S. Her knee turned the key off. We were on the freeway so I told her to coast to the side and restart the car. She did, it started, and we continued the trip. It is a weird sensation to be going 60mph and then the whole car shuts down. This happened last month and there are no problems from this happening.

Barry

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by joe_s2k
[B]The only problem with that is the oil pump may not have been supplying the engine with adequate oil during the "down-time".

 

I believe you, but my motorcycle mechanic told me this during one of my scheduled maintenance sessions. Could this be a motorcycle thing or am I just full of it? Thanks for the correction.