Eli5: how can you roll start a manual vehicle but not an automatic vehicle?
In: Other
In cars with manual transmissions, the engine and transmission are coupled through the clutch. When the clutch is engaged, turning the wheels will turn the engine. In automatic cars, the two are connected through a torque converter. This device allows the engine to keep idling but the wheels to not turn while the car is in gear. In a car with a manual transmission, you must either put it in neutral or depress the clutch. The torque converter is essentially a “fan” on side connected to the engine and a “turbine” on the side connected to the transmission. As the fan spins, transmission fluid flows and pushes against the turbine blades. When enough pressure hits the blades the transmission will begin to turn. You won’t be able to turn the blades fast enough to generate sufficient pressure to turn the engine.
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