Learn English – A way to describe the sound a car makes when you’re cranking it over, but it won’t start

adjectivesphrase-requests

What words or phrases can be used to describe a car unsuccessfully starting, i.e. a car that won't start when the key is turned in the ignition.

I am writing a satire on the dependence which people feel towards technology and would prefer it if I could describe the failed attempt at starting a car using auditory imagery.

I know that when the key is turned in the ignition, there is a "revving" sound, but I don't have a word to describe the sound when the revving dies down.

Best Answer

I'd call the sound a sputter:

to make explosive popping or sizzling sounds or to utter explosively and incoherently

Dictionary.com

If you Google sputter car, you get many examples.

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