If I'm positioned on a downhill I'll compression start it often, especially in residential areas where there's no traffic. The Check Engine Light comes on and stays lit for the first 35-40 seconds after I do it, is there anything wrong with compression starting these cars on a regular basis? Does the ECU react negatively and am I harming it?

 

I don't know if it's bad for the car, but why are you doing this in the first place? I've only ever seen it done when a dead battery prevented turning the starter. Is this just for fun?

 

There's no real reason to why I'm doing it, I just hop in the car and drop the E-brake if nobody's in front of me. Car starts rolling, I dump it in 2nd and she fires right up. I guess it's sort of a habit from learning how to drive in Iran where everybody compression starts their cars whenever possible regardless of what condition their battery is in.

 

I had a '67 Bug that would ONLY start that
way. Drove it everywhere and relied on help
from passerbys to give me a push. Didn't
take much. Never tried it with my MCS.

God speed.

 

>>There's no real reason to why I'm doing it, I just hop in the car and drop the E-brake if nobody's in front of me. Car starts rolling, I dump it in 2nd and she fires right up. I guess it's sort of a habit from learning how to drive in Iran where everybody compression starts their cars whenever possible regardless of what condition their battery is in.

I used to do it in my Sprite, TR3, old Mini etc. Old habits are hard to break.

But it is 2004 and you have a brand new car. I would suggest using the starter because there are so many sophisticated systems to confuse IMHO.

Regards,
Red