:werd: we had to push start my friends ls once when his battery went out.

 

the best way to push-start a manual car is in reverse because reverse because the reverse gear produces more power/torque than in first or second gear...

 

I would imagine you could push start an automatic too, all you have to do is get the halves of the torque converter going fast enough so there is viscous coupling. Hmmm....experiment anyone?

 

Kai's right tho. In the days of Carbs it wasn't as bad on the powertrain, but in todays cars push starting is just too hard on the system.

 

care to ellaborate?

 

it depends on the trans's ability to lock into a gear as well. most auto trans's don't lock into a gear till it sees enough pressure and the right vehicle speed to do so.
I know for a fact that you can do what Hondaman said with older domestics, but I've never had to try it on a honda.

 

I did a bit of research and this is what I came up with.
Most automatic transmissions will not push start. There are a few exceptions though. A couple of the GM Power glide, and early Chrysler/Dodge Torqueflite 727 transmissions: These had an auxiliary pump driven by the tail shaft. Push the vehicle, this pump turns, you get fluid pressure, the clutches can engage, and voila: you can push start. This still requires a longer run than push starting a stick tranny.
So basically, the engine turns a pump to pump the transmission fluid in an automatic. Unless the transmission has an auxiliary pump, which the Civic Automatic does not, it will not push start.