Why does a car stall?
2 Answers
Cars can stall for the following specific reasons: 1. Insufficient engine power: Stalling occurs when the engine doesn't provide enough force to move the car forward, causing the engine to be forced to stop. 2. Engine unable to rotate: The engine must rotate continuously during operation. If it cannot rotate, it will stop and require the electric starter motor to restart. 3. When in first gear: Gradually releasing the clutch is fine, but suddenly releasing it completely may cause the engine to stop because its output force can't overcome the starting friction. 4. Whether stalling occurs when shifting to fourth gear below 20km/h depends on the car's performance. High-horsepower cars might not stall, as this situation is like asking a 100-meter sprinter to run wearing military cross-country gear - high speed makes it difficult to bear the load. 5. Deceleration depends on circumstances: Generally above 40km/h, just applying the brakes is sufficient. At low speeds around 20km/h, you should press the clutch, otherwise the car may stall when speed decreases.
My old manual transmission car has stalled a few times at intersections, which is really frustrating. It's usually due to poor coordination between clutch and throttle timing - like being too hasty during traffic light starts, releasing the clutch too quickly without matching throttle input, causing the engine RPM to drop too low. Another issue is improper idle control; unstable idle when cold starting, or RPM dropping too fast during neutral coasting makes sudden acceleration demands prone to stalling. Some vehicles with severe throttle body carbon buildup suffer from insufficient air intake, especially at low speeds, leading to stalling. I recommend practicing clutch control, maintaining throttle body cleanliness, and regular idle system maintenance - these details prevent many headaches. Honestly, sudden engine stalls are scary, especially when blocking intersections and compromising safety.
