Buzz
Starting a car for the first time can seem challenging, especially if you're a beginner driver. Fortunately, the process is fairly simple, whether your car is automatic or manual. This article will guide you through the steps to start your car in both cases—see Step 1 below to begin.
Steps
Starting the Car
Sit in the driver's seat and fasten your seatbelt. Never drive without your seatbelt on, as it is both unsafe and illegal!
Insert the key into the ignition. The ignition switch is typically located near the steering wheel. It looks like a round metal piece with a keyhole in the center, often labeled with some text. Once you locate the ignition switch, insert the key fully.
- For most vehicles, you need to use the correct key that came with the car. You can also use a spare key, provided it matches the original.
- Some newer vehicles may not have a traditional key. In these cases, look for a start button, usually marked with the word “Start” and located in a visible spot.
If you're starting an automatic car, set the gear shift to “P” or “N”. In an automatic car, you don't need to manually change gears, as the transmission does this automatically.
- With automatic transmissions, there are only two pedals. In some cars, there's a flat rubber pad on the far left of the driver's footwell; this is the “dead pedal,” meant for resting your foot, not for pressing.
- Automatic cars have a safety switch that prevents the car from starting while it's in gear unless the shift lever is in “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral) position.
If you're starting a manual car, set the gear shift to “N”.
- In manual transmission cars, there are three pedals; the one on the left is the clutch pedal.
- It's important to ensure the car is in neutral (N) before starting. If you start the car while it's in gear, the engine will transmit motion through the transmission to the wheels, causing the car to jerk or stall. The transmission can be damaged if the car is started in gear.
- You can check if a manual car is in neutral by gently wiggling the gear stick; if it moves freely, the car is in neutral. If the gear stick feels stiff, the car is in gear. While pressing the clutch pedal, move the gear stick to the neutral position before starting the car.
Use the ignition key to start the car. You'll need to turn the key through two stops and press at the third, which is the final position, to start the car. Always use one hand to insert and turn the key, and make sure not to pull the key out while turning it.
- Release the key immediately after turning it to the start position. If you keep turning the key after the engine has started, you’ll hear a grinding noise from the starter motor, which can damage the car.
- The first two positions are marked ‘ACC’ for ‘accessories,’ and the second is ‘ON.’ The ‘ACC’ position powers the radio and other electrical devices; the ‘ON’ position is where the key returns after turning the switch on.
If the engine doesn't start, try these troubleshooting tips. Sometimes, even after turning the key to the ignition position, a perfectly normal car may fail to start. Don't worry; this issue isn't serious.
- If the key won't turn past the first or second position, and the steering wheel is locked, that means the steering wheel lock is engaged. This safety feature is designed to prevent the car from starting when no one is in the driver’s seat. To fix this, try wiggling the steering wheel slightly while turning the key.
- If the car still doesn't start, try pressing harder on the brake and/or clutch pedal while turning the key. This feature is available on some newer cars to prevent sudden movement when the engine starts.
- If the car still won't start, try turning the key in the opposite direction. Some older vehicles may not operate in the same way as modern ones.
Be cautious when shifting gears. Some (but not all) manual transmission cars are equipped with a clutch safety switch that cuts power to the starter unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed; meaning you must press the clutch pedal to start the car.
- When the engine is running, do not suddenly release the clutch while the car is in gear and without pressing the gas pedal; the car will jerk, and the engine will likely stall, causing the car to stop abruptly. You can avoid this by ensuring the car is in neutral before starting (use the gear shift wiggling method described earlier).
Check your mirrors to avoid hitting people, objects, or other vehicles, and begin driving safely. Always follow traffic rules and drive carefully.
Troubleshooting when your car won’t start
You should know that a car may not start for several reasons. Refer to the owner’s manual and visit a repair shop if needed. If you absolutely need to go somewhere or cannot make it to the shop, you may be able to handle the issue yourself.
Learn how to start a car in freezing weather. If your car won't start and the weather is extremely cold, you may need to ‘pump the gas’ or add fuel to the engine to make it easier to start. Whether or not you need to add fuel depends on whether your car uses a carburetor or electronic fuel injection.
- If your car was made before 1990, it likely uses a carburetor. The carburetor is a mechanical device that mixes air and fuel before sending it to the engine. For these cars, you should ‘pump the gas’ a few times by pressing the accelerator before starting. This will help the carburetor release some fuel into the engine. Each time you press the accelerator on a carburetor-equipped vehicle, more fuel is supplied to the engine.
- Be careful when pumping gas on a completely cold car. Pumping too much fuel before starting can cause the engine to flood. Supplying too much fuel with too little air will lead to poor combustion. (See tips for starting an engine with flooded fuel).
- If the engine floods, press the accelerator all the way to help the engine start. Pressing the accelerator fully will allow more air into the engine to burn off the excess fuel. You may need to press the accelerator for a longer time than usual to help the engine start. Once the engine is running, release the accelerator.
If the engine won't start, you should consider replacing the battery or using another car to jump-start the vehicle. At this point, a dead battery is typically the cause of the engine failure. To start your car, you'll need to use another vehicle to supply power to your battery. If this isn't possible, you'll need to replace the dead battery.
If the car makes a clicking sound but won't start, you might need to replace the alternator. You or a mechanic can perform a simple test to determine whether the alternator needs to be replaced.
If both the battery and alternator are in good condition but the car still won't start, consider replacing the starter motor. Either you or a mechanic can handle this replacement.
Tips
- For manual transmission cars, to prevent the car from rolling, always engage the handbrake before pressing the clutch pedal.
- If your car has a push-start button, make sure to press the button after completing the necessary steps.
- If you drive a diesel car, preheat the glow plugs (GM, Ford) or the heating grid (Dodge) first. This is usually indicated by a light on the dashboard, which will turn off after a few seconds when the engine is warm. Check related articles for more details.
- Some cars (e.g., Renault) have an anti-theft locking system with a lock/unlock button that you need to press before starting the vehicle.
- Make sure to familiarize yourself with your vehicle before driving. Knowing exactly where to insert the key will save you time and effort.
- Before driving, after starting the car, check under the vehicle to ensure there are no pets, such as dogs or cats, underneath.
- Always use the correct key. Many modern cars have anti-theft systems that prevent the car from starting if the wrong key is used. Even if the key looks identical, if it doesn’t have a chip near the base or integrated at the head, the car will not start. It may still turn the ignition switch, but it won’t start the engine.
Warning
- For manual transmission cars, be cautious as the car may unexpectedly move when you press the clutch pedal. If the car is in gear when the engine starts, it will shift forward (or backward if in reverse) as the engine engages. This can cause damage to objects or harm people standing in front of or behind the car. Practice with this type of vehicle and understand how the transmission works before driving to avoid accidents or injury to others.
- Cars and other vehicles are not toys. In the hands of someone who has not learned how to drive or is not capable of driving, cars can cause serious injury or even death. Do not attempt to start the car if you are not able to drive. If you are a new driver, make sure to have an instructor with you!
- If the car won’t start, don’t just keep pressing the gas pedal. Avoid pressing the gas pedal for more than 60 seconds within five minutes. The starter motor needs time to cool down between uses. Ignoring this rule could cause the starter to burn out, as it is essentially a small electric motor responsible for providing the initial power to start the engine. If this happens, the only solution is to replace the starter motor. If the engine doesn't start after 60 seconds of trying, there may be an issue with the car that needs to be addressed by a mechanic.
