Under what circumstances will a car stall?

[LaMarcus]

A car may stall due to the following reasons: unskilled driving techniques or improper operation; fuel pump stuck or malfunctioning leading to poor fuel supply; use of low-quality fuel causing excessive engine carbon buildup; faulty spark plugs or ignition coils resulting in multiple cylinders failing to ignite; excessive dirt accumulation on the idle control valve core and throttle body. Low-quality fuel: For automatic transmission cars, stalling is mainly caused by the use of low-quality fuel. One solution is to refuel at reputable, large-scale gas stations with higher-octane fuel, such as using 97-octane gasoline. Although more expensive, it ensures longer vehicle lifespan and better driving performance. Excessive dust: The main cause of stalling during idle is excessive dust in the air. When the engine is running, dirt accumulates on the idle control valve core and throttle body. When too much dirt builds up, the engine will have low idle speed, unstable idle operation, and may stall during idling. This issue can be resolved by simply cleaning the idle control valve.

[BradyRose]

I've been driving a taxi for almost twenty years and have seen all kinds of stalling situations. The most common is an aging battery, especially on winter mornings when the voltage isn't enough to start the engine—it just gives up. Fuel line issues are also frequent; when the tank is nearly empty, the fuel pump can't draw fuel, and the car just stops mid-drive. Manual transmission drivers dread hill starts the most—if you release the clutch too quickly, the engine stalls immediately, and the honking from cars behind can sound like a symphony. Once, while taking a passenger to the airport, I suddenly lost power on the highway. I slowly pulled over and found that the alternator belt had snapped, cutting power to the entire car and forcing it to shut down. Regular throttle cleaning is also crucial—too much carbon buildup can cause unstable idling, and the engine might stall inexplicably at red lights. I’ve also learned the hard way that low-quality gasoline can make the engine act up.

[VonDamian]

Over the years of car repair, stalling issues are encountered daily. A faulty fuel pump is the most common culprit – the engine may suddenly cut out even before the fuel warning light illuminates. Ignition system failures also occur frequently, such as excessive spark plug gaps or leaking high-voltage wires, particularly prone to stalling during acceleration. Loose battery terminals can cause a complete power loss, leaving no response when turning the key. Automatic transmission owners, beware: torque converter failure can interrupt power transmission, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly while driving. A malfunctioning crankshaft position sensor will make the ECU shut down the engine directly due to signal loss. Sticking transmission valve bodies can also trigger stalling, especially noticeable during cold starts. During routine maintenance, remember to check the generator brushes – excessive wear prevents proper charging, eventually draining the battery and causing stalling.

[LillianaDella]

Last month, I just got my driver's license and stalled three times while practicing in the neighborhood. Starting with a manual transmission is the hardest—if I release the clutch too quickly, the car stalls. The 'half-clutch' technique my driving instructor mentioned is really tricky to master. Hill starts are even scarier; the car rolled back once, and in a panic, I stalled again. A friend told me automatic transmissions can also stall—my car once wouldn't start because I left the headlights on and drained the battery. At the gas station, I was persuaded to buy fuel additive, but after using it, the engine shook badly and stalled at a red light. Cleaning the fuel injectors cost me 500 yuan. Now I know to refuel when the tank is down to a quarter, or the fuel pump can overheat and fail. Many people don’t realize that not straightening the steering wheel when parking can also cause the engine to stall.

[ElisaMarie]

I once experienced a stall while picking up my child. The air conditioning suddenly stopped at a red light and only resumed after restarting. The 4S shop said carbon buildup caused the throttle to stick, and it returned to normal after cleaning. Another time, after heavy rain, the car was hard to start, and later I learned the ignition coil got damp, causing the engine to stall halfway. My friend's car wouldn't start after refueling at a gas station—turned out the fuel cap wasn't tightened, and the vapor recovery system misjudged it as a fault, causing a stall. The auto start-stop feature is annoying; once during traffic congestion, frequent starts and stops made it quit altogether. The engine sounds loud during cold starts, and I have to warm it up for five minutes before driving. The mechanic suggested switching to lower-viscosity oil. Now, I regularly use fuel additives, and the fuel system runs much smoother.