Can a car move without stepping on the accelerator?
3 Answers
Automatic transmission cars can move without stepping on the accelerator. The following are related expansion materials: 1. Automatic transmission: Because automatic transmission cars do not have a clutch pedal, when the gear is engaged, the clutch is actually already connected. At this time, without the resistance of the brake, the car will naturally move forward slowly. When the brake is released in an automatic transmission vehicle, even if the accelerator is not pressed, the vehicle will slowly move forward. This action is generally called automatic transmission crawling. 2. Manual transmission: Manual transmission models rely on the clutch to achieve this function. When starting the vehicle, if the accelerator and clutch are properly coordinated, the car will slowly move forward, which is also called "crawling". If the clutch is released too quickly, the car will not only fail to move but will also stall.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I've noticed that a car can indeed move without pressing the accelerator, but it depends on the situation. On flat ground, if your car is an automatic, the engine can move slowly at idle speed, typically around 2-3 kilometers per hour. This is called idle creeping. I often use this when queuing in parking lots with an automatic car, avoiding frequent accelerator presses. However, this doesn't work uphill—the car might roll backward, so I always press the accelerator slightly in advance to ensure safety. Going downhill is easier; the car can coast using gravity without pressing the accelerator. In urban traffic jams, using this technique can save some fuel, but you must stay alert to avoid hitting the car in front or pedestrians. For manual transmission cars, moving at idle speed can easily stall the engine, requiring clutch coordination. Beginners need more practice to master this smoothly.
I've repaired many cars. From a technical perspective, the reason a car can move without pressing the accelerator is that the engine's idle speed provides power. After the engine starts, even if you don't press the accelerator, it maintains a minimum RPM (usually 800-1000 rpm), which is transmitted to the wheels through the transmission. Automatic transmissions have hydraulic systems to assist, making idle crawling smoother; manual transmissions require clutch control to manage torque transfer, otherwise, the engine may stall if the RPM is too low. I've seen cases where older cars with unstable idle speeds or low battery power may experience jerky movement or failure to move. A related issue is that prolonged idling without pressing the accelerator increases the risk of carbon buildup. It's recommended to regularly maintain and check the health of the engine and transmission to keep the engine efficient. During daily driving, pay attention to how slopes and load affect power output.
