Does Stalling at Startup Cause Significant Damage to the Car?
3 Answers
Stalling at startup can cause significant damage to the car. The following are the potential damages caused by stalling at startup: 1. It is detrimental to the engine. The engine speed drops instantaneously when the vehicle starts, causing the engine to "sputter" and nearly stall, which is a severe lugging condition; 2. It affects car components. Sudden loss of power while the engine is running can easily cause damage due to intense friction and component collisions; 3. It impacts the engine internals. The ECU automatically adjusts and injects an overly rich air-fuel mixture. If the fuel proportion 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 deposits.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for over 30 years, and occasionally stalling at startup doesn't cause much harm to the engine. The engine itself is quite sturdy, designed to withstand everyday mistakes. The key lies in operation: each time you stall, the clutch bears double the friction. If you frequently stall on slopes, the clutch plate wear will accelerate, and repairs won't come cheap. The starter motor might also get a few extra uses, but replacing a new one only costs a few hundred bucks. New cars might be more sensitive, but my old Volkswagen never complained. I recommend beginners practice starting techniques more, like giving a bit of throttle and holding the clutch steady before moving on a slope. Don't worry, cars aren't that delicate—just safely pull over, restart, and avoid making it a habit.
When I first bought a car, I also stalled frequently. Actually, it doesn't damage major components of the car. The engine can handle it, at most wasting some fuel since the tank is still full. For manual transmissions, the clutch may wear out a bit faster, but it's no worse than driving over potholes damaging tires. Automatic transmission cars hardly ever stall, saving a lot of hassle. When stalling, don't panic—just press the clutch, shift to neutral, and restart; it takes three seconds. The most important thing is not to stall at intersections affecting safety. Cars are made of steel and can take a beating. I drove a five-year-old clunker on long trips and only replaced the clutch once. Practice starting a few more times, and you'll get the coordination right.
