Push start?

[Boogeyman]

Seeing as how the mustang is going keyless, I was wondering if you are able to push start a manual car with a keyless ignition system when the battery is dead. Anyone know?

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[Barrel]

Unlikely if the battery is truly dead.

 

[Grimace427]

If the battery is dead you couldn't push start it even with a key. If the battery is just a little weak it might work with the ignition turned on, but I'm sure OEM's have put safeguards in the key circuit to prevent push starting. I haven't tried on anything later than mid 90's though.

 

[Boogeyman]

I would imagine the issue is that the button itself needs power to turn the engine to run mode while with a physical key you can still do that without power. You can do this with a dead battery in manual cars with physical keys because all you are trying to do is get the alternator spinning enough to start the engine.

With this in mind I am pretty sure the 2015 won't be able to do this with a completely dead battery but I am wondering if it case do it when the battery is too weak to fire up the engine.

 

[Sal JC]

I forgot all about push starting, my first Mustang was a 5spd and my parents had a steep driveway.. i always use to roll down backwards and use reverse to start the car. Did anyone check if the owners manual says anything or is push starting even in there?

 

[Grimace427]

I would imagine the issue is that the button itself needs power to turn the engine to run mode while with a physical key you can still do that without power. You can do this with a dead battery in manual cars with physical keys because all you are trying to do is get the alternator spinning enough to start the engine.

With this in mind I am pretty sure the 2015 won't be able to do this with a completely dead battery but I am wondering if it case do it when the battery is too weak to fire up the engine.

Key or button is irrelevant. The ignition system needs power from the battery before it will allow the engine to start. Everything is operated via relays so unless those relays are energized you can turn the key all day and nothing will happen.

 

[MikeAZ]

I would imagine the issue is that the button itself needs power to turn the engine to run mode while with a physical key you can still do that without power. You can do this with a dead battery in manual cars with physical keys because all you are trying to do is get the alternator spinning enough to start the engine.

With this in mind I am pretty sure the 2015 won't be able to do this with a completely dead battery but I am wondering if it case do it when the battery is too weak to fire up the engine.

Correct. Comes down to a keyed system using a physical switch to route power vs. a keyless system requiring an electrical switch to route power. You can't start an engine if you have no method of routing alternator power to the ignition system.

In the case of the battery not being completely dead, you may have a shot if you can get the car into run mode. Not always possible though. I had a situation in my Mazda 6 where the battery dropped just low enough to cause the electronics to do crazy things such as sweep the speedometer and tach needles back and forth intermittently and switch all the exterior lights on and off. A new battery solved the issue and there was no damage to any of the electronics, but the car was completely unmanagable with the battery in a partially charged state.

 

[Grimace427]

Correct. Comes down to a keyed system using a physical switch to route power vs. a keyless system requiring an electrical switch to route power. You can't start an engine if you have no method of routing alternator power to the ignition system.

The alternator only supplies power when the engine is running. There hasn't been a physical ignition switch installed in a car for many years, probably a decade or more. Everything uses relays now.

 

[geokots]

I push started my 2010 Hyundai Genesis 2 weeks ago. The battery was completely dead and wouldn't hold a charge. It doesn't have keyless start button (newer models do). Started fine and lasted the 60klms to my mechanic. Wouldn't restart when I got there.

It might work with the button as all you need is the on setting and pop it in gear at the right speed. Who want to test first

Funny thing is the $200 battery made me buy the Mustang the next day

 

[geokots]

Also, I'll double check but I think there's a way to use the key inside the fob to manual start it.

Edit: I just checked the manual and I was wrong. I think I had it mixed up with the spot under the cup holder where you can insert the fob.

But I did read this
"Note: Do not attempt to push-start your

automatic transmission vehicle. Automatic​

transmissions do not have push-start​

capability. Attempting to push-start a​

vehicle with an automatic transmission may​

cause transmission damage"

This makes me this maybe

 

[Asharus]

speaking of which. due to the location of the push start button, im wondering if its possible to accidentally turn the car off while driving.

 

[svtenthusiast]

speaking of which. due to the location of the push start button, im wondering if its possible to accidentally turn the car off while driving.

In the owner's manual it should say you have to hold it for 3 seconds to turn the engine off if the vehicle is in motion

 

[MikeAZ]

... There hasn't been a physical ignition switch installed in a car for many years, probably a decade or more. Everything uses relays now.

I stand corrected - haven't had a need to push start in a long time (always carry jumper cables). Now my 1979 Capri on the other hand...

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