Why does the engine stall when releasing the clutch?
3 Answers
Because the car requires a significant amount of torque to transition from a stationary state to movement. The faster the clutch pedal is released, the quicker the clutch engages. At idle speed, the engine outputs minimal torque. When the engine's flywheel suddenly bears the substantial load of the entire vehicle, and the car cannot move, it naturally causes the engine to stall. Below is an introduction to the clutch: 1. Clutch Introduction: The clutch is a common component in mechanical transmissions, allowing the drivetrain to be separated or engaged at any time. Its basic requirements include: smooth engagement, rapid and complete separation; ease of adjustment and repair; compact size; lightweight; good wear resistance and sufficient heat dissipation capacity; and convenient, effortless operation. 2. Clutch Classification: Common clutches are divided into two types: jaw clutches and friction clutches. The clutch is installed between the engine and the transmission and is the assembly component in the car's drivetrain that directly connects to the engine.
Speaking of this, when I first learned to drive a manual transmission car, I often encountered the situation where the engine would stall as soon as I released the clutch. The main reason was that the engine idle speed was too low, lacking sufficient power to move the car. When starting, if I didn’t press the accelerator or pressed it too lightly, and released the clutch too quickly, the engine speed would drop sharply, causing it to stall. It’s like when you try to push a car to start it—if you don’t apply enough force, it will just bounce back. Once, while practicing on an uphill road, I released the clutch too abruptly, the car shook and then stopped, and even the instructor laughed. The key is to practice coordinating the accelerator and clutch: lightly press the accelerator before starting to raise the engine speed to around 1500 RPM, then slowly release the clutch. This way, the car will move smoothly. With more practice, you can avoid this issue. Also, don’t forget to maintain your vehicle, as worn clutch plates can also cause problems.
Having driven manual transmissions for years, I've seen plenty of beginners stall from releasing the clutch too quickly without matching throttle input. The root cause is that at idle, the engine barely sustains itself - any load causes RPMs to plummet, resulting in a stall. This is especially true during hill starts where resistance is greater. I always advise giving slight throttle to raise RPMs to around 1,500 before smoothly releasing the clutch in sync. With practice, this becomes second nature for buttery-smooth takeoffs. Just remember to avoid riding the clutch or prolonged half-clutch coasting to prevent premature wear.
