There are certain things in life that just don’t make sense. When you think about it, why does a car have to start when you hit the gas pedal? Why can’t it just stay in neutral until you’re ready to go? As strange as it may seem, that’s actually how cars work. You put the car in reverse and push the gas pedal to the ground, which then sends power to the engine and wheels. In this blog post, we will teach you how to put a dead car in neutral so you can fix it or tow it away without any hassles. It may sound difficult, but with a little bit of practice it won’t be too hard.
What You’ll Need
If your car won’t start, you may be able to put it in neutral and turn the key to the off position. This technique is called “neutral reserve” and can help you push the car out of a dead stop or limp into a shop. To do this:
1. Locate the neutral switch on the dashboard or console. It may be a round button with a horseshoe symbol on it, or it may be tucked away behind other switches. If your car has an automatic transmission, you may need to use your Park/Neutral button instead.
2. Move the gear selector into neutral and turn the key to off (or use your Park/Neutral button).
3. Give the car some throttle by pressing down on the gas pedal slowly—you should feel some resistance when you accelerate from neutral. Continue giving it throttle until you reach speeds of around 5 mph (8 km/h).
4. Release the gas pedal and step on the brake pedal firmly, keeping both hands on the wheel at all times. You’ll now have control of the vehicle by using its engine power as a backup if needed.
How to Put a Dead Car in Neutral
If your car is stuck in neutral, it’s time to get creative. Here are four safe methods to put a dead car in neutral:
1. Use a Jackknife: Jackknife your car out of park by leaning on the horn and twisting the jackknife handle towards the ground. Be careful not to twist too far or you’ll damage your car.
2. Use a Jumper Cable: If you have an extra cable lying around, use it to jumper your car out of park by plugging one end into your battery and the other end into your car’s positive terminal.
3. Use a Tow Truck: If you don’t have any other options, call for help and wait for a tow truck to pull you out of trouble.
4. Pry With Your Hands: If all else fails, pry your car door open using your hands and crawl inside to turn the key manually.
Tips for Putting a Dead Car in Neutral
When you find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead car, there are a few tips you can follow to put it in neutral. First and foremost, make sure the car is not blocking traffic. If it is unavoidable to leave the car in this condition, stay safe by turning off all of the lights and waiting for help. If possible, move the car as far forward as possible before pulling out your emergency brake. Once you have put the car into neutral, try to move it as slowly and carefully as possible so that it does not come to a sudden stop. Finally, do not forget to drive safely and carefully back up to where you left off.