6

When I learned to drive, I was told that if ever stuck in a dangerous position (e.g. a train track, middle of a road) when the car won't start, I should place it into gear and hold the starter motor on to pull the car out of the way.

I now have a 2009 BMW 3 Series which has a "Start button" - I need to push the clutch to the ground in order for the start button to work.

So, given I need to fully engage the clutch to start the car, is there a way I can move the car with the starter motor?

James Monger
  • 621
  • 1
  • 10
  • 16

4 Answers4

8

I've got the same sort of function on my Seat Leon (and on my old BMW 320D) - if you drop the clutch quickly enough it will move the car a little. Although I doubt that's enough to get you clear of a railway track.

I would err on the side of caution in the event of being stuck on the track/road etc and evacuate the car quickly and safely (i.e. pay attention to traffic whizzing by). When SAFE call the relevant authorities to inform them of the problem.

Mauro
  • 2,665
  • 16
  • 24
5

This is not so much a safety feature that has been taken away, but one that has been added. The starter motor was never intended as an alternate means of moving a vehicle. It is much more likely to cause an accident if the driver attempts to start the car while unintentionally leaving it in gear. Also,if you intended to move it just a few feet on the starter, but the engine did manage to start, the car would continue to move, possibly out of control.

This interlock is now required by regulations at least in the USA and probably other countries. For the USA, I found 49 CFR 571.102, which includes:

"S3.1.3 Starter interlock. Except as provided in S3.1.3.1 through S3.1.3.3, the engine starter shall be inoperative when the transmission shift position is in a forward or reverse drive position."

(The exceptions are covering automatic start/stop systems.)

mbmcavoy
  • 151
  • 2
1

Given the safety interlock you describe and that this will be controlled via the engine management system then I would say no.

Solar Mike
  • 34,681
  • 2
  • 30
  • 59
0

I'm going with no. My 1991 Mazda Miata (a car which was not filled with the latest and greatest technology even when new) has a clutch switch and won't start without the left pedal on the floor, which I think has been standard practice for quite some time.

I would guess instances of people needing desperately to move their cars a few feet are few and far enough between that manufacturers decided it wasn't worth supporting that, in favor of preventing people from accidentally moving their cars when they tried starting them in gear.

Stankinator
  • 1