Yes, it is hard to push a dead car, and modern cars are even harder to push-start.
Why is it hard to push a dead car?
Pushing a car, especially one that's not running, presents several challenges:
- Weight: Cars are heavy. The average car weighs several thousand pounds, making it difficult for one or two people to generate enough force to move it.
- Friction: The tires create friction with the road surface, resisting movement.
- Inertia: Overcoming the car's inertia – its resistance to changes in motion – requires a significant initial push.
Why is it hard to push-start a modern dead car?
While older cars with manual transmissions could sometimes be push-started, modern cars often can't be, even with a good push. This is because:
- Electronic Control Module (ECM): Modern cars rely heavily on their ECM. According to the reference material, they "need electrical power to run the ECM." Without a functioning battery, the ECM won't operate.
- Fuel Injection: Modern cars use electric fuel pumps to deliver fuel at high pressure to the fuel injectors. If the battery is dead, the fuel pump won't work, preventing the engine from starting. As the reference states, modern cars need electrical power to run "high pressure fuel pumps for fuel injection."
| Feature | Older Cars (Push-Start Possible) | Modern Cars (Push-Start Difficult/Impossible) |
|---|---|---|
| ECM Dependence | Low | High |
| Fuel Delivery | Carburetor or Mechanical Pump | Electric Fuel Pump |
| Electrical System Req | Minimal | Substantial |
Therefore, while pushing a dead car is generally difficult, the design of modern vehicles makes push-starting an unreliable, if not impossible, option.
