Why does the car keep stalling when driving?
2 Answers
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.
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.
