Sometimes, the car suddenly stalls during driving, which causes an accident. It mostly occurs with learners or sometimes people who have been driving for years. But before that, everyone needs to understand what stalling a car is and how you can deal with it without staying calm.
This article will discuss what is stalling a car and what we should do if we encounter one on the highway. Basically, stalling means when the engine turns off, and that is not due to an issue with clutch control. If the vehicle stalls and an accident occurs, that means you fail to take appropriate action.
What is Stalling a Car?
Stalling means the engine of a vehicle stopped suddenly while driving. Multiple mechanical reasons could cause a car’s engine to stall. Therefore, you must be careful in these situations; otherwise, it can be a terrifying experience for you and your vehicle.
How do vehicles Stall?
Stalling usually occurs because of a problem with the air-to-fuel ratio in the car’s engine. The leakage of air intake tubes, a dirty air filter, or multiple airflow problems can cause the air-to-fuel ratio to stall and cause the vehicle’s engine to stall. Other electrical problems, like problems with the ignition or charging system of the car, could also lead to stalling.
In addition, many mechanical problems cause stalling and early warning signs before stalling occur. If you notice performance problems with a vehicle and do not address them before a mechanical failure causes an accident.
How Does the Clutch Work?
Another important thing about stalling is understanding how the car’s clutch works. The clutch has two friction plates that move apart when the clutch pedal is depressed. When the clutch pedal is raised, the two plates move back together, allowing the engine’s power to reach the wheels, which is called the biting point.
If the clutch pedal is raised, the two plates will lock together so that all the engine’s power is sent to the wheels. Both plates need the same revolutions per minute to keep the engine running. Stalling occurs when the driver doesn’t give the engine and the wheel plates enough time to connect.
In automatic vehicles, the car handles changing gears, so there is no need for a clutch pedal. But we can’t say that it is not possible to stall in the automatic car. It could be
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Instruction to Follow if Car Stalls
If your vehicle stalls at any time, it could be dangerous, and it could be even more dangerous if you are on the highway where traffic moves at high speed. Here are some simple steps to follow to avoid such incidents;
- When stalling starts, the driver has just a few seconds before the engine shuts down, and then you would be unable to control it; therefore, move to the right carefully.
- Use the vehicle lights to warn other drivers behind you.
- If you reach the side of the road, leave your car through the passenger door. Never use the driver’s door to step out of the car. If the car is stuck in mid-air, do not leave the vehicle.
- Call the highway helpline to get out of the way, and if you can move out of active traffic, call a towing service.
- In a nutshell, these can help you avoid an accident after your vehicle stalls on the highway. If you have ever experienced these types of accidents, you must consult with an attorney to determine the best way to recover the damages.