Why does the car keep stalling when driving?

[VanAdalynn]

Stalling is more common in manual transmission vehicles, as automatic transmission vehicles generally do not stall easily. The main reason for stalling is that beginners are not yet proficient in operating the car's clutch, leading to uncoordinated control between the clutch and throttle, or driving at a high gear with low speed. Here are some methods to avoid stalling: 1. Master the clutch: Beginners often struggle with clutch control, especially in manual transmission cars. If the clutch is released too slowly, the car may stall. Therefore, when starting, the left foot should properly press the clutch. 2. Control the throttle: While the left foot presses the clutch, the right foot should also step on the throttle to ensure a smoother start. 3. Use the handbrake when starting: Sometimes, beginners may experience the car rolling backward when starting, which can cause panic and lead to stalling. In such cases, using the handbrake can help. Before shifting into gear to start, pull the handbrake tight, then release the clutch halfway, and finally release the handbrake while stepping on the throttle to prevent rolling backward. 4. Avoid high gear with low speed: During normal driving, if the car is in a high gear but moving at a low speed, the engine may start to shake, lose power, and eventually stall. Therefore, beginners should learn the right timing for gear shifting.

[DelArthur]

As a seasoned manual transmission driver, stalling is mostly due to poor coordination between the throttle and clutch. It's a common rookie mistake—releasing the clutch pedal too quickly with the left foot while failing to match it with throttle input from the right foot, especially during hill starts when the car jerks twice before stalling. Another often-overlooked detail is gear-speed mismatch, like forgetting to downshift before a turn or stubbornly climbing a hill in 3rd gear causing lugging and stall. Sometimes it's about driving habits—keeping the clutch at half-engagement while holding the throttle at red lights for too long can choke the engine. Remember: release the clutch as steadily as lifting a hot teacup, synchronize throttle input, and don't hesitate to give it more gas when starting in low gears. Spend half an hour practicing starts in an empty parking lot this weekend—you'll see noticeable improvement.

[VanJasmine]

This is a common scenario we encounter during car repairs - frequent stalling isn't always due to poor driving skills. For manual transmissions, aside from clutch issues, it could be carbon buildup jamming the idle control valve, causing RPM to drop straight to zero when releasing the throttle. Alternatively, faulty signals from the manifold absolute pressure sensor might confuse the ECU's fuel delivery. Automatic transmission stalling requires extra vigilance, often indicating blocked transmission fluid passages weakening torque output, or software glitches in the idle stop-start system. Another culprit could be spark plugs overdue for replacement after 60,000 km - degraded ignition efficiency may cause the engine to die when lightly braking at traffic lights. My recommendation: first inspect basic components - check if the air filter is clogged black, examine throttle body for sludge buildup, and verify fuel pump pressure. Remember to take monthly highway drives to clean carbon deposits, avoiding constant low-speed city crawling.

[EliasDella]

Having driven a taxi for twenty years, I know all too well the agony of stalling. Most of the time, it's caused by shifting gears at low RPM—the engine rushes to upshift at just 1500 RPM, and the car, lacking power, stalls outright. Newbies often make this mistake: thinking higher gears save fuel, they end up driving 30 mph in 2nd gear, and the moment they ease off the throttle, the car stalls. Another devilish detail is braking technique—pressing both the clutch and brake to the floor while turning makes the car stall as if it's been paralyzed. Fixing a few habits helps: shift above 2500 RPM, downshift and rev-match 10 meters before turns; coast in gear during traffic jams instead of riding the clutch; use fuel additives monthly to clean carbon deposits. For older cars, also check the clutch plate thickness—if it's too thin, it can slip and cause stalling.