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Why does my car stall while driving?

My commutes have been rough lately. Thankfully, I only have to drive a short distance, but my car has been stalling and it’s been making me nervous. Why would my car stall while I’m driving?

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Kaitlin May · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh, no! Stalling is no joke—especially with other cars on the road. There are several common reasons why cars stall while driving and all of them lead back to engine issues.
The root cause could be a dead alternator, faulty coolant sensor, or empty fuel tank. Other car-stalling culprits to consider include the following:
  • The engine air is either too rich or lean
  • A dead battery
  • Clutch release problems
  • A dirty air filter
  • Low fuel pressure
  • Faulty distributor cap
The best way to identify the issue is to rule out simple fixes first. If your fuel tank is empty, that’s an immediate solution you can take care of on your own. Check your clutch application to see if that’s the root cause, as well.
If you’ve resolved those surface-level snags and your car is still stalling, you should have a mechanic look into it.
Whether your car has minor maintenance issues or more serious stalling problems, it’s essential to have the right
car insurance
. With additional coverages like
roadside assistance
, your monthly payments could be slightly higher—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find the full package at a cheap rate.
Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
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