Question

how did people start the engines of early cars? shoveling coal pulling a lever tugging on a cord turning a crank

Explanation:

Early - internal combustion engines in cars were started by turning a hand - crank. This was a common method before the advent of electric starters. Shoveling coal was for steam engines, pulling a lever and tugging on a cord were not typical methods for starting early car engines.

Answer:

Turning a crank