Once upon a time ... Starting with the starter motor
10/05/2024
Imagine you are driving over a level crossing and the engine stops just above the tracks. It can no longer be started. The barriers start to close because of an approaching train.
What to do? No problem with an older car. Engage first gear, start the starter with the ignition key and the car rumbles forward. It won't cover long distances this way, but it will get you safely off the tracks.
Modern cars are stubborn about this. When the gear is engaged, the engine can hardly be set in motion without using the clutch. Driving off with the starter is out of the question.
The level crossing scenario is certainly unlikely, but in the past it was not at all uncommon to start the car using the starter motor. For example, if the clutch no longer disengaged (see also the recently described problem with the sticking clutch) or other difficulties with the transmission prevented the car from moving. If you ran out of gas and had to get out of a danger zone. There were many reasons to use the starter to move the car, although of course this was only done in an emergency.
As I said, it's all over now. It is no coincidence that today entire highway tunnels have to be closed again and again because a modern car can only be moved by a tow truck.
