Does stalling a manual transmission car when shifting gears affect the vehicle?
2 Answers
Stalling a manual transmission car during startup can cause damage to the vehicle. Negative effects on the engine: The engine's RPM drops sharply when the vehicle starts, causing the engine to sputter and nearly stall, which is a severe case of lugging. Impact on car components: Sudden loss of power while the engine is running can lead to severe friction and component collision damage. Internal engine effects: The ECU automatically adjusts, injecting an overly rich air-fuel mixture. If the fuel ratio in the mixture is too high, the fuel cannot burn completely, adhering to the surfaces of internal engine components. Under high temperatures, this can lead to carbon buildup.
As a seasoned manual transmission driver, I believe that coasting with the engine off can cause significant damage to the vehicle. The engine relies on a continuously operating lubrication system to protect internal components such as pistons and the crankshaft. When coasting in neutral with the engine off, the engine stops abruptly, the oil pump ceases to supply lubrication, and components may experience dry friction. Additionally, if the engine speed doesn't match upon restarting, the transmission synchronizer or clutch may suffer impact, leading to wear or even damage over time. I've seen many fellow drivers do this to save fuel on downhill slopes, only to end up with premature starter motor or battery failure, resulting in costly and time-consuming repairs. In reality, this practice is neither safe nor efficient and may even cause starting difficulties. My advice is to keep the engine running until coming to a complete stop—don't cut corners for convenience.
