Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
CarCodyAdvertise
Service recordThe Garage

Can You Push Start An Automatic Car? This Is What You Have To Do!

Entry183 Date Time5 min MechanicCody
Can you push start an automatic car?

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A lot of the cars today are made with automatic transmissions. Vehicles equipped with automatic are much more convenient to  drive in the cities in stop and go traffic.

What do you do, though, after the car lights have been left on all night and the car won’t start up in the morning? Or, you’re driving along down a busy highway and the car clunks to a stop and won’t turnover? Can you push start an automatic car the same way you can with a manual transmission? 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

With a manual transmission, you simply have someone push the car, until it gains momentum, then you engage the second gear and the engine starts up. When you have an automatic transmission, you will also need help from someone, but not to push you. Pushing your car that has an automatic transmission does not work.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

With an automatic transmission, you have an open clutch that stops you from being able to push start the car. In the manual version, you can close this to help you crank the engine to get it push started. The only way you can ‘crank’ your automatic transmission’s engine is to jump start it. Your other option is to tow it to a mechanic. It is not possible to push start an automatic car. 

#1 Best Overall
JOLTEKON Car Battery Jump Starter with Air Compressor 4500A 150PSI, Car Jumper Starter Portable (9L Gas/8L Diesel), Jump Box Car Battery with Auto-Shutoff Tire Inflator, Jumper Cables and Light
  • 【8-IN-1 CAR BATTERY JUMP STARTER】This 12V Jump Box highlights highly integrated advanced functions but is more portable, transcending general battery booster. It's a portable car jump starter, tire pump, pressure gauge, portable power bank, flashlight, SOS signal, white strobe, red strobe as triangle warning light. Portable, versatile and must-have kit, your ultimate companion for emgencies, adventures and daily use!
  • 【START COMPLETELY DEAD BATTERIES 】The jump starter power pack has 4500A and FORCE START FUNCTION as dual safeguard, can instantly start the most stranded vehicles including completely drained or low-voltag batteries even at -20℃~60℃. Durable jumper cables to reach varied battery terminals. Ideal for car, truck, motorcycle, lawnmower, boat, and more. Delivers multiple starts per charge, standby for about 24 months and support 1000+ recharge cycles.
  • 【5+4+3 150PSI FAST AIR PUMP】Inflate your tires to 25 PSI in just a few minutes—faster and easier than ever! Powered by a 19-cylinder motor, the portable car jump starter delivers 150PSI high pressure and rapid air inflation. 5 inflation modes with auto memory and automatic shut-off to prevent over-inflation, 4 versatile nozzles, 3 selectable units (PSI, BAR, KPA), and a detachable extended hose for easy, space-saving storage.
  • 【EMERGENCY 500LM LIGHTS & COMFORTABLE HANDLE】The jump starter power pack is featured with 500 lumens WIDE lights that is significantly brighter by more than 400%, providing 4-mode lights for different cases. SOS draws attention to a rescue when emergencies. White flashlight ensures vital visibility after dark, easy for read maps, make repairs, or inflate and change tires.White strobe can deter potential threats, red strobe doubles as warning triangle during roadside emergencies.
  • 【TRUE CAPACITY & CHARGE ON THE GO】Always back you up even your phone is run out of power while no access to the charging station. Compatible with USB-C electronic devices, such as phones, tablets, cameras, etc. Delivers over 90% energy efficiency, keeping you informed of the real remaining battery level. 3.3" SMART DISPLAY keeps you updated on the jump box, clearly visible even in bright sunlight.

Jump Start Your Automatic Car 

By jump starting your automatic transmission, you will use another car’s battery to bring yours back to life. You have to connect the booster cables which will transmit the energy and power from that car’s cell directly into your dead battery.

It’s important to remember that you can’t connect to just any other battery with your car to jump start it. If the battery of the other car has a voltage that is higher than yours, it could cause a lot of damage to your car’s battery. Most cars have 12-volt batteries, so it should easy to find another car with the same voltage. 

When you are using your jumper cables, the alligator clips can never touch each other or the metal surfaces of the car while you’re connecting the batteries. Alligator clips are on the end of the booster cables. This could result in a spark. Keep the cars off when you connect the booster cables.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #2
Sale
TREKURE Portable Car Battery Jump Starter 4000A 16800mAh Jump Box, Car Battery Jumper Starter Portable Jumper Cables for car(8.0L Gas/6.5L Diesel), Fast Charge, Lights, Compact
  • 【High-Performance Car Jump Starter】Driven by stable 4000A, the jump box for car battery portable can easily restart 12V dead vehicles up to 8.0L gas & 6.5L diesel engines in seconds even at -4℉~140℉. Support more than 1000+ jumps and easier than asking help from others or roadside service.
  • 【16800mAh Power Bank】Integrated 4 thinner, high-capacity battery packs, the battery jumper starter portable also works as a long-lasting power bank recharging any personal mobile device, like smartphones, tablets, or other USB devices.
  • 【Wide Angle Multifunctional Light】The jump pack features super bright lights in 4 modes (Flashlight, Strobe(White), Strobe(Orange), SOS). Dual-angle design, wider irradiation range. Suitable for changing tires or checking the engine, for warning or drawing attention, outdoor adventure, traffic accidents or doubling as a warning triangle and many other use scenarios. Make your journey safer.
  • 【Rugged Cover & Weatherproof 】Built with a waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant shell, this portable jump starter for car with stands rain, snow, and rough terrain. Ready for Any Challenge!
  • 【10 Safety Protections】Built-in German imported smart chip, the battery charger car jump starter will automatically perform 10 protections such as short circuit, overheating, overvoltage, overcharging, deep discharge, overcurrent and reverse current. Reliable partner of the vehicle. Designed with ease of use in mind, it's perfect for beginners.

When everything is properly connected to your ‘hot’ engine, allow enough time for the power surge to hit the dead battery which can take upwards of several minutes. Don’t rev the engine to initiate a surge of power. Once the vehicle cranks, disconnect the cables by taking off the positive first and then the negative (without letting them touch). 

Portable Jump Starter 

One thing you need to check out are portable jump starters. These are really perfect for an automatic transmission and don’t need another car or person to work them. A portable jump starter is equipped with a compact battery that can be recharged by plugging it into the wall. This device is as powerful as another car battery. Portable jump starters provide the following benefits: 

  • They can crank your car with no other vehicle. 
  • They have reverse polarity protection. (This is when you connect the negative cable to the positive terminal and the positive cable to the negative terminal which will accidently cause a spark with the battery and ignite a fire under the hood; it can also do massive damage to the battery itself.) 
  • No worries over higher voltage or having overcharge with your dead battery. 
  • No one needs to stop and help you. 

If you have an automatic transmission, you should invest in jumper cables or the portable jump starter and always carry them with you in your trunk or glove box. This is going to be your fastest, easiest, and least pricey option to get your car started if your starter is not engaging.

Rank #3
Sale
GOOLOO A3 12V 3000A Portable Jump Starter with Air Compressor
  • Powerful and Durable - Powered by GOOLOO JUMPCORE technology, this 3000 amp portable car battery jumper starter provides instant restart for your 12V dead vehicles, supporting engines up to 9.0L for gas and 6.5L for diesel . Even if the battery voltage is extremely low, simply press the "BOOST" button to forcefully jump start your car. With over 1000+ charge cycles, this jump box for car battery is built to withstand extreme weather conditions ranging from -4°F to 140°F.
  • Versatile and User-friendly - GOOLOO A3 portable car jump starter with air compressor offers 5 types of inflation modes (suv,car, bike ,ball and Customizable) and comes with 5 different nozzles, catering to the needs of both beginners and advanced users.Built in maximum pressure of 150 PSI and an air flow of 35L/Min. This tire pump can inflate Tesla Model 3/Y tire from 30 PSI to 36 PSI in just one minute! A full charge provides up to 45 minutes of wireless continuous inflation and supports unit switching 3 units (BAR/PSI/KPA).
  • 7-in-1 Jump Starter – Built around GOOLOO TOOLCORE technology, the A3 is not only a portable car battery charger jump starter and a tire inflator, but also a built-in battery for emergency device charging, an LED flashlight, a bike pump, a ball pump, and a digital pressure gauge. Compatible with USB devices such as smartphones and tablets, it supports inflating 135 balls, 50 bicycle tires, 35 motorcycle tires, or 8 car tires with the included nozzles.
  • All-Around Defense - Featuring GOOLOO SUPERSAFE technology and a high-efficiency battery management system (BMS), the A3 car jump box with air compressor offers 10 key protections, including short circuit protection, overcurrent protection, reverse connection protection, overheating protection, and overcharge protection.
  • Smart cordless Tire Inflator - The A3 jump pack with tire inflator equipped with a smart LED screen, tire pressure detection and automatic shut-off functions make your operation more convenient. Ultra bright display stays perfectly readable in the harshest sunlight, no squinting or shielding required.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Other Solutions To Start An Automatic Car With A Dead Battery 

Car wont start clicking sounds

There are other choices aside from jumping your automatic engine that are more involved and a bit more costly. Let’s look. 

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Call a Tow Truck 

This may be something that you really don’t want to do. You want your car operational and you want it fixed now. Sometimes, there’s nothing else you can do but get it off the road and to a garage.  

The tow person isn’t going to start it for you, and this service is going to be expensive. The good thing is that they will either take you home so that you can further check out what to do next, or you can go to a mechanic of your choosing. By taking it to a mechanic, they can figure out what’s happening and let you know what needs to be done to fix it. 

Rank #4
Sale
Scatach 3000A Car Battery Jump Starter,12V Jump Starter Battery Pack Portable (up to 9.0L Gasoline and 7.0L Diesel Engine), Jump Box with 3 Modes Flashlight and Jumper Cables
  • Powerful Car Jump Starter - The jump starter with 3000A peak, safely start the 12V vehicles in seconds with this booster(up to 9.0L gasoline/7.0L diesel engines), up to 50 jump starts on a single charge. It is suitable for cars, pickups, motorcycles, boats, rvs, tractors, lawnmowers, snowmobiles, etc.
  • Portable Jump Starter - This portable car battery charger very compact design, size is only the size of an ordinary power bank. It is very convenient to carry, won't take up much space when you go on a long drive or travel.
  • Multiple Safety Features - The jump start battery pack is safely connect to any 12-volt vehicle with intelligent protection systems design, with multiple protection including spark-proof, reverse polarity protection, low-temperature protection, high-temperature protection, over-load protection, jump pack without worrying about incorrect connections or sparks even if you're a novice.
  • Respond to Emergencies - Portable power bank with led flashlight. It can provide emergency charging for your powered-off mobile devices through the usb interface. The unique led flashlight has 3 modes, including flash light, strobe light and sos light, which will help you in time when you encounter an emergency situation outdoors.
  • LED Light - Portable power bank with led flashlight. It can provide emergency charging for your powered-off mobile devices through the usb interface. The unique led flashlight has 3 modes, including flash light, strobe light and sos light, which will help you in time when you encounter an emergency situation outdoors.

Take Off Fan Belt And Spin the Alternator 

This requires an experienced person to help you make it work. Otherwise, don’t try it as it could cause more damage to the car. It is possible to remove the fan belt to start spinning the alternator in order to charge the battery. 

Rotating the alternator quickly and for a long enough time is important in order to charge it. There has to be a little bit of power left in the battery so that this is possible. If there’s zero power left in the battery whatsoever, this won’t be an option for you. 

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Buy a New Battery 

When nothing is going your way and there’s no help in site, hopefully you have your cell phone and its on full charge. It’s going to be necessary to find a battery shop. Most likely when you call them, they will deliver a new battery to you and help you install it. Replacing the battery will help you get the car either home or to a mechanic. 

Best Value
Sale
OXILAM Jump Starter 6000A for All Gas/12L Diesel, Car Battery Jumper Starter Portable, 12V Lithium Jump Box with Jumper Cables, LED Display, LED Light, Power Bank with USB, Type C Port
  • 【Powerful Battery Starter】The OXILAM car jump starter delivers a powerful peak current of 6000A, capable of quickly reviving a dead car battery in just seconds—even in extreme temperatures. A single full charge provides up to 60 jumpstarts. 2024 upgraded jumper cables can safely start all gas engines and 12L diesel engines, including 12v vehicles, motorcycles, pickups, RVs, tractors, trucks, vans, ATVs, snowmobiles, yachts, and many more. Say goodbye to being stranded due to a dead battery
  • 【Multiple Security Protections】The OXILAM car battery jump starter features an integrated battery and intelligent clamps design, equipped with 10 intelligent safety protections to guard against short circuits, reverse polarity, sparks, and so forth. With enhanced thermal efficiency and power management, it ensures better performance and extends battery life, safeguarding the car battery starter from potential damage due to overheating, loose connections, battery bulging, and expansion
  • 【Multifunctional Car Emergency Kit】This is an all-in-one car emergency kit that serves as a car jump starter, portable power bank and LED flashlight. It features 2 USB output ports (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A), allowing for a 75% time saving when charging your mobile phone, tablet, Kindle, or digital camera. The device also boasts an upgraded Type-C input port(5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)for faster charging. Additionally, it offers three 800-lumen LED light modes: flashlight, strobe, and SOS
  • 【Sturdy and Considerate Design】This car jumper starter portable features a sturdy, waterproof shell and includes a protective cover to guard against wear and tear. The non-slip side design ensures a secure grip. Its ultra-compact and lightweight design allows for easy placement in your bag or car without taking up space. The battery jumper box is equipped with an LED screen that displays the battery status, providing an intuitive view of the battery's condition and remaining power
  • 【Reliable Product Coverage】OXILAM battery jumper starter portable supply provides manufacturer protection and lifetime reliable Technical Support. Our 24-hour online after-sales team is ready to address any issues you may have. If you have any questions about the jump start battery pack get in touch with us for a satisfactory solution

Roadside assistance can be pretty costly with their monthly fees, but when you find yourself alongside the road with no help, no jumper cables, no money and an automatic transmission, this would be a lifesaver. You may have to wait for an extended period of time for them to come give you a jump or provide service to you, but they will soon become your next best friend. 

It can be pretty scary when you break down and aren’t sure exactly what to do. As long as you have a phone with charge, you’re in business. There are always folks out there willing to help someone in need. 

If you liked this article make sure to check out: walmart car battery warranty and how much does a car weigh

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

More from the Garage

  1. Entry001Date09 OCT 26Time3 minWhich Brake Pad Should You Buy From RockAuto or Elsewhere?Section: Blog
  2. Entry002Date09 OCT 26Time5 minThe Pros and Cons of Touchless Car Wash SystemsSection: Blog
  3. Entry003Date09 OCT 26Time3 minCan a Trickle Charger or Battery Tender Properly Charge a Car Battery?Section: Blog

Thanks for visiting Carcody

Carcody.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.