Why do I have to push the gas pedal to start my car?

Answer by  Scooby14 (73)

Assuming your car is carbureted instead of fuel injected, when you press the gas pedal before stating the car you're activating your choke. This chokes the carburetor by allowing less air flow into the engine and creating a rich mixture of fuel. Older cars need a rich mixture to start.

Answer by  richard76 (39)

Pushing the gas pedal allows the fuel to fill up the carburator and give the car the needed gas to start and continue working throughout your trip. If you didn't push the pedal then there would no fuel to help ignite the spark from the spark plug to get it started.

Answer by  John (9008)

A car's engine works--and starts--by exploding small amounts of gasoline to move pistons. It can do nothing without fuel. Once a car has started, the engine draws the small amount of gas needed to keep running. However, before it starts, it needs a little gas for the first few combustions to begin.

Answer by  kennethjgoodson (4903)

It sounds like you are having a problem with your fuel injectors. That would be one of the main problems on why your car is not starting.