Is your car having trouble getting you from point A to point B? Not only is it frustrating when your car stalls, but it can also be a symptom of bigger car problems. It’s important to understand when your car stalling is a simple fix and when your mechanic should inspect your car to diagnose any auto repairs you may need. Depending on the circumstances around your car stalling, we have a few common causes and what should be done if they may be relevant to your car trouble.
Only Under Certain Circumstances is Car Stalling Not Cause for Concern
When your engine stalls, there are a couple of possibilities that could come from your driving habits or another simple problem you can fix yourself. Check for signs one of these may have been behind your engine stalling and you’ll be able to fix the problem accordingly.
You Drive a Manual Transmission and Killed the Engine
If you drive a manual transmission, you’ve probably killed the engine before. Whether it was back when you were first learning how to drive a stick shift or the other day when you just got the timing wrong. It’s not uncommon for a manual transmission to stall the engine from time to time, so if you think you got the timing wrong with your clutch pedal, simply try starting the engine again. If you don’t encounter more problems with your car stalling, that’s likely all it was and you don’t need to consult your mechanic.
Your Fuel Tank is Empty
Has it been a while since you last filled up your gas tank? Have you not kept an eye on the fuel tank level as well as you should? It’s possible an empty fuel tank snuck up on you and that’s why your car stalled. You can try starting your car again, but the best way to test whether this is your problem or not is to add fuel to your tank, especially if your car won’t start. If it does start and you see your fuel is low, head straight to a gas station.
Often, When Your Car Stalls, You Should Head to a Mechanic
Aside from the above harmless causes behind your car stalling, there are some other more serious possibilities. Once you’ve ruled out the first two we’ve already discussed, it’s time to consider one of these more serious car repairs. This likely means getting your car to an auto repair shop so that your mechanic can run a multi-point inspection.
Your Engine’s Air-Fuel Mixture May Not Be Rich Enough
In order to run and provide power, your engine relies on an air-fuel mixture that’s sent into combustion chambers to be ignited. If this mixture is off, it can cause a variety of noticeable problems while driving. If there isn’t enough fuel in the mixture, it can cause your car to stall because there isn’t enough to ignite. Your mechanic will have to inspect parts of your fuel system and engine to ensure they’re all working properly to allow fuel into your engine.
Your Air Filter May Be Too Dirty
Similarly, improper airflow can also lead to your car stalling. When air is sent into your car’s engine, it goes through an air filter that keeps out dirt, debris, and other contaminants. Over time, this will become clogged and will need to be replaced. If this is the case, it can cause your car to stall. Luckily, this is a simple fix for your mechanic to handle, though it’s best to have a mechanic take care of it so that they can also inspect related parts to ensure they’re working properly before you get back on the road.
You May Need New Spark Plugs
The air-fuel mixture that’s sent into your car’s engine relies on spark plugs to ignite it. Just as an improper mixture of air and fuel can cause engine problems, dirty or worn-out spark plugs can lead to car stalling because the air-fuel mixture isn’t being ignited. This can also lead to misfires that you’ll feel while driving, as it’s possible the mixture will be ignited at the wrong time. Spark plug replacement is another simple fix for your mechanic and they’ll be able to inspect other parts under your hood, too.
AAMCO Orlando Mechanics Are Here to Help with Any Auto Repair
When your car is stalling, you won’t get far without a fix. If your car is stalling and you can’t figure out what’s wrong, you can trust the expert mechanics at your nearest AAMCO location to inspect, diagnose, and repair any parts necessary in your car to get it running properly again. Don’t hesitate to give us a call with questions or schedule your appointment online.