Stalling is embarrassing. When it happens, you’re more likely to rush to fix your mistake, and that rushing increases your chances of stalling again. Why?

Because rushing the controls is often what caused the stall in the first place.

What actually causes a car to stall? It can happen for a few reasons: not giving enough gas, lifting the clutch up past the bite point without pausing on it, or being in the wrong gear.

Of course, a mechanical fault can also cause stalling, but that’s a job for your mechanic.

To Reduce Your Chances of Stalling, Here are Some Key Tips

1. Set the engine speed. Use the gas to bring the engine speed to between 1,000 and 2,000 RPM before you lift the clutch. If your car still stalls and you’re struggling, try keeping the engine speed above 1,500 RPM. This extra power can make stalling less likely.
2. Control the gas with your heel on the floor. Resting your heel on the floor gives you better control over the top of your foot and helps you keep the gas pedal steady. This makes it easier to maintain the engine speed where you want it.
3. Lift the clutch slowly. Once your engine speed is ready, it’s time to lift the clutch. Go slow, even if the car in front of you at a green light starts speeding off. Don’t try to keep up. Lift the clutch pedal gradually until you feel or hear the bite point. Hold your foot steady at that point, allowing the car to accelerate gently. Once the car is moving, keep the clutch on the bite point for about three to four seconds. You’ll know you can fully release the clutch when the engine’s pitch gets higher.

Common Mistakes Leading to Stalling

1. Coming off the gas as you lift the clutch. As a new driver, your legs might not have the muscle memory for smooth coordination yet. When you lift one foot, the other might inadvertently lift too. Practice keeping one foot steady while moving the other.
2. Not pausing at the bite point. Some people lift the clutch slowly but keep releasing it once they hit the bite point. This is a mistake. When you reach the bite point, you need to hold the clutch steady for three to four seconds. This pause allows the car to move smoothly. Many experienced drivers don’t even realize they naturally do this because it’s second nature to them.
   If you don’t pause, your car may “kangaroo” down the road, bounce depending on your gas, or even spin if you’ve applied too much gas. Without enough gas, you’re likely to stall.
3. Rushing through gears. Moving too quickly can lead to mistakes. Let’s take a common scenario: you’re slowing down toward a red light in 4th gear at 30 mph. Just as you’re about to stop, the light turns green, and you need to go. In a rush to downshift from 4th to 1st gear, you accidentally grab 3rd gear instead. This mistake often leads to a stall.

The Key Takeaway

The most common underlying cause of stalling is rushing.

Whether you’re learning to drive or getting used to a different car, it’s crucial to take your time. Do everything slowly. Listen to the car. Feel how it responds.

Don’t worry about keeping up with others on the road. Focus on working with your car, not racing everyone else.

Staying relaxed is essential. If you’re tense or in a hurry, it’ll be harder to concentrate and learn how your car behaves. Take a deep breath, go at your own pace, and soon, avoiding stalls will become second nature.