What to Do When a Car Suddenly Stalls While Driving?
3 Answers
Here are the steps to handle a sudden car stall while driving: 1. Turn on the hazard lights and try to stabilize the car as much as possible, avoiding sudden steering wheel movements. 2. For manual transmission cars: Depress the clutch, shift the gear lever into the appropriate gear based on the current speed, then release the clutch to allow the engine to restart using the vehicle's momentum. 3. For automatic transmission cars: Shift into neutral (N), being careful not to accidentally engage reverse (R) as this could damage the transmission, then restart the engine. Alternatively, you can turn on the hazard lights, pull over to the side of the road, and then restart the engine.
I was driving on the highway that day when suddenly my car stalled, which almost scared me to death. I immediately gripped the steering wheel and slowly moved to the right while turning on the hazard lights to alert the cars behind me that something was wrong. After stopping in the emergency lane, I first tried restarting the engine. If it didn't respond, I didn't force it. Instead, I quickly got out, placed a triangular warning sign 150 meters behind the car, and then moved outside the guardrail to call for roadside assistance. I remember last time my car stalled because the fuel pump failed—there was no way I could fix that myself, so calling a tow truck was the safest option. During regular maintenance, it's important to check the fuel system and electrical circuits, as failures in these components can be life-threatening.
If your car stalls while driving, the first thing is to stay calm—I've encountered this situation three times. Immediately turn on the right turn signal and coast to the roadside using momentum, avoiding sudden braking. After stalling, the steering wheel becomes heavier, requiring both hands to maintain control. Once stopped, try restarting the engine; if it fails, check the fuel gauge—sometimes the tank is empty but the warning system malfunctions. Also, watch for dashboard warning lights: a battery light may indicate alternator issues. I once had a stalled engine due to a faulty ignition coil—such problems require professional repair. Most crucially, always move away from traffic lanes; standing beside your car on highways is extremely dangerous.
