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Date:         Sat, 13 Jan 2001 12:20:55 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: push start
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Unforgivbly bad design on VW's part. I have bumpstarted various Japanese cars with flat batteries, mainly Toyota FWD diesels, in reverse many times, no worries. And my old 57 split-case panelvan, which ALWAYS had a flat battery until I 12Volted it.

However generally, given the option, I will use second. But living on a narrowish street, with cars parked facing up a steep hill, turning a dead car around can be difficult. (in a 5-speed Vanagon, use 3rd).

Using 3rd in a normal vehicle eg 4-speed Vanagon won't fire it up easily unless you are going pretty fast, as the engine won't be turning over very rapidly. The faster the engine spins, the more easily it starts.

Automatics are often not tow-startable, as they don't have a second oilpump. Old Powerglides CAN be tow-started. My 69 Korvair (Kombi-Corvair) was fitted with the Corvair 2spd Powerglide, and I had to towstart it some number of times. Had to be doing at least 60kmh (37mph) in 2nd (top) before the torque-converter would lock up and provide drive.

Andrew Grebneff Dunedin, New Zealand VW & mollusc nut 1984 VW Caravelle (currently SVX engine; waiting for a Porsche trans) 1985 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma 2.0 (FWD), for sale 1986 CE80 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel (extaxi) 1989 CE96 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel wagon 1989 CT170 Toyota Corona Select 2.0 diesel (taxi)


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