What drivers used to know - starting the engine with the crank handle
07/23/2019
Modern drivers probably don't even notice the strange hole, usually located in the bumper or radiator grille area. And if they saw it, they would just shrug their shoulders.
But anyone who has been driving a car for a little longer will immediately realize what the purpose of this hole is. This is where the crank is inserted, which is connected more or less directly to the crankshaft in order to start the engine, even if there is no longer enough power to operate the starter (or if there is no starter at all).
The fact that this hole, including the crank, was still present in a Range Rover from the seventies may be a little surprising, however, as it was a 3.5-liter engine that needed to be started and this would probably not have looked very befitting, dressed in a tuxedo in front of the opera.
The owners of the Citroën 2 CV were probably still seen turning the crank more often in the seventies.
But which was the last car to be delivered new with a hole and crank? We don't know, but perhaps our readers do? Just comment on the last car you saw new with a crank, and maybe together we'll find out!
P.S. Starting an engine with a crank handle was not that easy, and there are always horrifying stories of engines kicking back and breaking bones. However, if done correctly, starting the engine with muscle power could certainly allow you to continue your journey, even if the battery had hardly any juice left ...
