# Stalling your manual transmission vehicle **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 1, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674 "2011-12-01T04:49:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/21 "2011-12-01T12:46:52Z")
Can’t recall the last time I stalled in traffic.though it wouldnt embarrass me if did - I drive a wagon, a grocery getter a mom car- but it’s a 5 spd turbo so it gets me around in style. But when I drive the automatic wagon it produces anxiety in me when I can’t push in the clutch, every fiber in my being screams for the clutch pedal at stoplights. Once I slammed the brakes thinking it was a clutch - that was embarrassing… ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/22 "2011-12-01T13:13:16Z")
One of my two vehicles is a 5-speed; I’ve driven and preferred manual trans vehicles for decades. Last time I stalled? Can’t remember. I have a vague memory of stalling in a drive-through lane within the last year in the old truck, and feeling a bit silly. Since someone asked upthread - I’ve had that truck since new, it has about 260,000 miles on it and the clutch is original, though getting sticky and sloppy of late. The minivan is much younger, and an automatic but I feel much more in control with the RWD old truck when the roads are snowy or icy. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/23 "2011-12-01T13:21:23Z")
We were leaving a shopping center one day last week and I managed to stall at the light - dunno what I was doing or how I managed that, but I almost never stall. Just one of those things, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/24 "2011-12-01T13:42:01Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Stalling your vehicle below 50’ AGL never ends well. You have a manual-transmission airplane? ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/25 "2011-12-01T14:01:06Z")
Ditto stalling with more experience. I try to engage the clutch with as little slipping as possible. Normally, I’m feathering the throttle as I engage the clutch thought the clutch throw and, well, sometimes it ain’t quite enough. 93000 miles on a Subaru STi…original clutch, second owner, I figure it doesn’t owe either of us anything, but it’s still going strong, even with the higher than normal Duty Cycle. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/26 "2011-12-01T14:28:16Z")
I have two cars, both are manuals. whenever I switch from one car to the other, it takes a little bit for me to “re-adjust,” and occasionally I’ll stall. It’s more common for me first thing in the morning with the smaller car, when the thing’s freezing cold and I’ve got the steering near lock; the cold engine wants a _little_ more gas than normal when I try to get moving. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/27 "2011-12-01T15:21:54Z")
I just stalled my manual transmission car for the first time in almost ever about 2 weeks ago because my foot slipped off the clutch. I was in a parking lot, so it wasn’t a big deal. I had been driving an automatic for quite a while because I had ACL reconstruction on my left knee. That still gives me slight issues with the clutch, but nothing that causes problems. I haven’t stalled on an actual road since I was a teenager. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/28 "2011-12-01T15:34:03Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Can’t recall the last time I stalled in traffic.though it wouldnt embarrass me if did - I drive a wagon, a grocery getter a mom car- but it’s a 5 spd turbo so it gets me around in style. > > But when I drive the automatic wagon it produces anxiety in me when I can’t push in the clutch, every fiber in my being screams for the clutch pedal at stoplights. Once I slammed the brakes thinking it was a clutch - that was embarrassing… …then to be yelled at by the backseat driver next to me! what’s going on? I remember now - the quattro (used refurbed) stalled the third time I drove it. Going around a slow speed corner i felt the stall coming on, of course my instinct is to press the clutch, thus the slammed brake reaction.Next thing I know I’m stalled out in the middle of the road in my automatic car. :smack: heads did roll 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/29 "2011-12-01T15:51:18Z")
On the high side, I’d say 5 times per year. It’s never in an obvious stall place because I’m paying attention then. It’s always at a light or a stop sign and I’m always completely shocked. Probably a good thing, reminds me to pull my head outta my ass and pay attention. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/30 "2011-12-01T16:37:33Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Once I slammed the brakes thinking it was a clutch - that was embarrassing… I’ve done that one. I was driving to Vegas with my former wife and father-in-law in a rental, and we’d been on the freeway for about two hours when we pulled off to get gas. Did I remember I was driving a rental? Of course not. I got mocked the rest of that trip for causing whiplash in my passengers. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/31 "2011-12-01T17:11:47Z")
The only times I stall it I swear the air conditioning chooses that exact moment to hiccup. I now am in the habit of turning the AC off right before I am about to move, and it seems to help (I voted “once a month”). ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/32 "2011-12-01T17:12:26Z")
I haven’t stalled in a long while, even when starting out in 3rd (which is something I do embarrassingly often. I think I’ve done it twice in the last couple of weeks!). But I probably have sometime in the last year. I have a 1985 Corvette that’s an automatic, and I’ve stalled that thing tons. It just stalls at low speeds, and my route involves an uncontrolled left turn that can sometimes build up quite the line. Damn thing stalled 4 times on me in that line one day this summer. 'Bout got out and left it sitting there, I was so mad. My dad had it looked at (he stores it for me) by his mechanic, but I don’t think they figured out what was wrong. Maybe the plugs? No idea. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/33 "2011-12-01T17:27:19Z")
About the only time I stall is when I pop the clutch and don’t hit the gas fast enough. It happens maybe twice a year. Maybe. I’ve killed an automatic, but it was my sister’s POS and I don’t remember the details. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/34 "2011-12-01T17:32:42Z")
I’m not sure how to answer. I haven’t driven in the last 15 years. But before then, it would happen every so often. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/35 "2011-12-01T17:32:45Z")
I stalled a rental VW Passat diesel about 6 weeks ago. Before that, it had been years, I think (I drive a manual daily). ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/36 "2011-12-01T17:54:26Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > I haven’t stalled in a long while, even when starting out in 3rd (which is something I do embarrassingly often. I think I’ve done it twice in the last couple of weeks!). But I probably have sometime in the last year. > > I have a 1985 Corvette that’s an automatic, and I’ve stalled that thing tons. It just stalls at low speeds, and my route involves an uncontrolled left turn that can sometimes build up quite the line. Damn thing stalled 4 times on me in that line one day this summer. 'Bout got out and left it sitting there, I was so mad. My dad had it looked at (he stores it for me) by his mechanic, but I don’t think they figured out what was wrong. Maybe the plugs? No idea. I’ve got a similar vintage vette…check for vacuum leaks around the intake and make sure everything in and around the throttle body is clean and functioning correctly. It’s not beyond the capabilities of a general mechanic to troubleshoot, but the research nvolved for him to do it will be pricey. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/37 "2011-12-01T18:01:44Z")
> [@saje](#): > > With cars I’ve had for a long time I rarely stall. I have a new car though and the clutch is a lot lighter than my old car, so I’m still in the adjustment phase. Currently I stall about once a week, but pretty soon I’ll have the feel of it and be more or less stall-free 🙂 Oh yeah, I did stall my husband’s new Mustang a couple of times getting used to it. No big surprise here, but the Mustang clutches A LOT differently than the Corolla. 🙂 (Going from the Corolla to the Tercel was effortless, however.) > [@Asimovian](#): > > I’ve done that one. I was driving to Vegas with my former wife and father-in-law in a rental, and we’d been on the freeway for about two hours when we pulled off to get gas. Did I remember I was driving a rental? Of course not. I got mocked the rest of that trip for causing whiplash in my passengers. Did you have you right arm waving around in the air all the time looking for your stickshift, too? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/38 "2011-12-01T18:21:27Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Did you have you right arm waving around in the air all the time looking for your stickshift, too? 😃 Or feeling up the cup holders? ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/39 "2011-12-01T18:23:16Z")
I stalled two nights ago when I forgot the car was still in gear when I pulled into a parking space. That happens about once a month. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674/40 "2011-12-01T18:25:07Z")
I notice I often stall after having driven an automatic and then going back to my car. I just kind of forget that I have to use the clutch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stalling-your-manual-transmission-vehicle/604674.md?page=3)