How to start a car with a dead battery without jumper cables

If you happen to have enough rope lying around (or belts, for that matter), you can conceivably lift the drive axles, wrap the rope around a tire and pull with all of your might with the transmission in gear and the ignition on. The motion should be enough to turn the engine over and start the combustion cycle.

Of course, it's worth noting that the vehicle needs to be properly supported during this whole endeavor, or you could wind up with a runaway hulk in a hurry. Fortunately, the enterprising youths in the video had their derelict ride well secured before pulling the old rope trick.

We should mention a few safety precautions here. First, make well sure that you can release the rope as soon as the engine fires, or you'll quickly be introduced to the front fender well. Second, don't waste your effort on an automatic. There isn't a power in the 'verse that can cause a slusher to turn over its engine. Finally, be warned that it's going to take a significantly larger amount of effort (thanks, compression!) for any vehicle with more than four cylinders.