Yep, did it this winter when my alternator went out. Have done it lots of times over the years for a lot of different vehicles. I did find something out this winter though, when your alternator goes out in these new rigs, you may be able to roll it and dump the clutch to start it, but you can't shift it in or out of fourwheel drive if the voltage is too low to run the dang electronic actuator. I bounced pretty hard up out of really rough bouldery road because I couldn't put it in low range and had to keep my speed up so as not to kill it. Once I got out to a better road that was smooth enough to get it to roll downhill I shut it off and worked on it. Luckily I'm a redneck and knew enough to tap on the alternator with an ax and get it to start working.

I even do it occasionally when I am parked on a hill, just because. It saves wear and tear on the starter But it is one of the reasons I hate automatics, I would have walked a lot of miles over the years a few times if I had been driving an automatic.

Yup....and make sure you turn the key ...to the on position.

The best trick...is to shift the gears without using the clutch.

Plus+1...for down shifting without the clutch.

Mastered that at 18... In a 66 Chevelle 327 ..4 speed ..
4:11 posi...fun car

Staahting a cah with a screwdriver...is a crowd pleaser too

Oh yeah, many times.

Had old Case tractor, and International tractors that were crank starts.
Would park on a hill, because I never trusted the crank kicking out once started.

I've done it, I think I've only had one automatic tranny. Had a 87 chevy that ate starters always tried to find a hill to park on and carry a tow rope!

Yes, i've done it in small trucks, cars and motorcycles

I've always owned manual transmission vehicles; one of the main reasons being so that I can compression start them.
When out in the middle of nowhere, I always try to park my truck facing downhill, especially if I will be out a day or more. This habit has saved my bacon more than a couple of times over the years.

Yes. Many times. But probably never again because I like automatic transmissions.

Been a long time, but I've done it.

My buddy who recently passed away a few weeks ago had a gremlin when we were teenagers. I don’t think he ever put a battery in it. Always parked it facing downhills if it was possible

Yep grew up poor. Couldn't afford a starter for a few weeks at one time so always made sure to part on a hill or incline.

68 years old, yep, did that many times.

I would guess that the fella you were talking to was not a trapper nor a redneck.


yes , used to be how we started my uncles car I was 8 years old and helping to push I was a big 8 year old once it was running everyone would pile in till he rolled it.

47 and done it many times.

had a 88 S10 that I used to jump out get it rolling hop in pop the clutch in and put it in 1st and pop the clutch it it seemed like way to often when you start strategically parking facing down hill , it might be time for a battery

technically it doesn't work with a totally dead battery but it doesn't take much 9 volts will get enough juice for the coil on any alternator cars , the magneto cars were before my time.

Yes, many times. I had a 64 impala that broke the rod that goes to the throwout bearing. I had to start it in first gear and shift without the clutch. It got a bit hairy in town sometimes.

More times than I can count with vechiles. Did it also with the Farmall A alot

I have done it.

Yep many a time

Had a 72 chevy SB pickup that I "bump" started for months in high school

Make sure to park on sloped or flat ground facing the right direction too

It was also "three on the tree" and I wonder how many could even figure that out, no pattern to cheat with on the shifter