Why does the car keep stalling and turning off?

(Photo Credit: freepik)

While driving, the car sometimes stalls and turns off on its own. Is this a ghost or is the car actually broken?

If you're driving along smoothly and suddenly the car starts jerking, stalling, and acting like it needs an urgent break, you might be unsure what's causing it and how to fix it. Today, Motorist will share some insights on this...

The causes of a car stalling or shutting off can be due to various reasons and can happen to both new and old cars. The main causes include...

• Fuel, engine, or other components are loose or dirty.
• The battery is deteriorated or expired.
• A faulty SCV (Suction Control Valve) causes poor acceleration, engine shaking, and eventually the car stalls. This can also result from not replacing the fuel filter or using a substandard one, allowing dirty fuel into the system, which causes the valve to get dirty and stick, preventing fuel from reaching the injectors, leading to stalling.
• The fuel pump or fuel filter is deteriorated or clogged.
• Old or worn-out spark plugs.
• Leaking or clogged fuel injectors, causing fuel flooding in the combustion chamber, leading to the car jerking as if it's drowning.
• Loose negative battery terminal.
• Dirty throttle body.

If the car starts stalling, here's what you should do:

• Stay as calm as possible and turn on the hazard lights to alert other drivers that your car is having an issue.
• Avoid braking suddenly; gradually slow down to reduce the risk of an accident.
• Shift into neutral and try restarting the car. If it still doesn't start, slowly guide the car to the side of the road.
• Do not force the car to keep driving, as this could cause further engine damage and increase the risk of an accident.

If your car frequently stalls or shuts off, don’t ignore it or hope it will fix itself. There might be an issue with a specific part of your car. If you're not skilled at checking it yourself, take your car to a repair shop or a vehicle inspection center as soon as possible. This will ensure safe driving and allow your car to perform at its best.

Read More: How can you tell if your car's tires are ready for driving in the rain?

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