How often do you stall?

[S204STi]

Once a year.

[Raza]

Raza, we all understand that's the definition of "stall" that you are using. Hell, I'm personally fine with that, like I said, go ahead and use it; it's a perfectly acceptable definition.


All I was trying to do was add some color and nuance to the discussion. I knew as soon as I opened this thread, that different people might understand "stall" to mean different things. Some people, like you, would understand "stall" to be any time you killed a car by letting out the clutch." Other people would obviously use "stall" in its narrow sense: "to bring to a standstill unintentionally."

I'm sorry that my attempt to introduce that nuance of meaning was so offensive to you.

I wasn't offended until you got all defensive by me pointing out and then started in with the personal insults.  I was just pointing out that the way you explained it was funny. 

[Tave]

Well then, I'm sorry I offended your delicate sensibilities.

[Raza]

Well then, I'm sorry I offended your delicate sensibilities.

Hey, be a douchebag and I'll be an asshole in return.  That's how that goes.

[280Z Turbo]

I've never stalled any car, ever. I'm just that awesome, guys.

Also, I modulate the clutch perfectly every time with my 3' long penis.

[Cookie Monster]

I've never stalled any car, ever. I'm just that awesome, guys.

Also, I modulate the clutch perfectly every time with my 3' long penis.

[hotrodalex]

It's a stall.  The engine stalled.  You stalled.  How about this?  I'll go on to say more paradoxically inaccurate statements and then cry about it when people call me out.

I never pee, except when I drink too many fluids and have to expel them from my body. 
I never answer a phone, except for when someone calls me on it.
I quit smoking, except for when I'm having a cigarette.
I'm a vegetarian, but I eat meat.

Here's a dictionary(.com) definition of "stall":

15. to cause (a motor or the vehicle it powers) to stop, especially by supplying it with a poor fuel mixture or overloading it.

And here's another one:

17.  to bring to a standstill; check the progress or motion of, especially unintentionally.

Both of these accurately describe your non-stall stalls as stalls. 

Your second definition actually proves Tave right. By letting the clutch out while parked, he didn't not bring the car to a standstill nor check the progress of it. If you're concerned about using the right terminology, "premature shut off" seems to be a better description.

[Lebowski]

How about this, I'll say it my way, you can say it your way, and if you don't like it, then tough nuggets.

Ok.

Mods, can we please reset the poll so everyone can select "never", since apparently stalling doesn't actually count as stalling?

[Tave]

Ok.

Mods, can we please reset the poll so everyone can select "never", since apparently stalling doesn't actually count as stalling?

Mods, while you're at it, can you scrounge up a big giant douche nozzle to wash all that sand out of Lebowski's vagina?

[93JC]

I never stall.
























I drive an automatic.

[Lebowski]

Your second definition actually proves Tave right. By letting the clutch out while parked, he didn't not bring the car to a standstill nor check the progress of it.

Unless he meant to kill the car by releasing the clutch, he unintentionally brought the engine to a standstill.  Whether the car is moving has nothing to do with it.  You can stall while the car is rolling forward, it's still a stall.

[Lebowski]

Other people would obviously use "stall" in its narrow sense: "to bring to a standstill unintentionally."

Under this definition as well you stalled.

[hotrodalex]

Unless he meant to kill the car by releasing the clutch, he unintentionally brought the engine to a standstill.  Whether the car is moving has nothing to do with it.  You can stall while the car is rolling forward, it's still a stall.

Going off of Raza's definitions, bringing the engine to a standstill was only half of the first definition, or if you include both definitions, 1/4 of the total definition. If you're going to be anal about that 25%, go for it. But it's perfectly rational to not consider it stalling.

[Lebowski]

Going off of Raza's definitions, bringing the engine to a standstill was only half of the first definition, or if you include both definitions, 1/4 of the total definition. If you're going to be anal about that 25%, go for it. But it's perfectly rational to not consider it stalling.

It's a stall under any and every definition of the word.

[hotrodalex]

It's a stall under any and every definition of the word.

k

[Rupert]

False.

[Onslaught]

Wow, I just looked back in on this and now I wish I hadn't. I'm with Raza on this one.

[GoCougs]

I'm going to side with Tave on this one I think. Stalling when trying to get under way is what counts for the context of this question, for it carries the weight of mistake much further than popping the clutch when turning off the car.

So to answer it, I'd have to say essentially never, or at least with the last two M/T vehicles I had. Both were both trucks; fairly low first gear, ginormous flywheel (especially the Tacoma), and fair amount of low-end torque; you'd have to make an effort to stall them.

[sportyaccordy]

I'm not siding with either because this argument is pointless.

[Byteme]

Crap, I hardly ever stall a car, but the other day I was pulling into a parking lot still in 3rd, just getting ready to downshift and some twit backed out unexpectedly and I had to slow and killed the engine.  Still rolling so I just put it in first and let out the clutch which restarted the engine.  Does that cancel out the stall?  

So far as I'm concerned if you are behind the wheel and the engine dies because of something you did or didn't do you stalled the engine.  Now are we all clear on that and can we move on.   

[shp4man]

Harleys have some powerful low end torque with two big flywheels and a long stroke. If you stall out one of those when you let out the clutch, your fuckin' up. 

[sportyaccordy]

Harleys have some powerful low end torque with two big flywheels and a long stroke. If you stall out one of those when you let out the clutch, your fuckin' up. 

You guys pretty much just idle everywhere anyway, so alls ya gotta do is let the clutch out slow enough

[TBR]

For what it's worth, regardless of whether you or not you are parking, inadvertently turning the engine off via not using the clutch properly is stalling. I understand there's a distinction between that and stalling while setting off, but it's still stalling. I don't know what else you'd call it.

I also don't understand why so many of you do it so frequently. I did it once in my Neon and haven't done it since.

[93JC]

You guys pretty much just idle everywhere anyway,

On the contrary, it seems to me that even when stopped Harley riders can't help themselves from revving the engine for no apparent reason other than to be loud.

[shp4man]

On the contrary, it seems to me that even when stopped Harley riders can't help themselves from revving the engine for no apparent reason other than to be loud.

LOL. I was at a stop light the other day and some dude on a Shadow started revving. Needless to say the I took him by 3 lengths when we crossed the next intersection.

[Secret Chimp]

I never ever ever ever ever do it in the Miata any more. Ever. The only time I've stalled the Dodge was jumping off the gas too quickly trying to get it up my driveway.

[hotrodalex]

The only time I've stalled the Dodge was jumping off the gas too quickly trying to get it up my driveway.

Wat. Isn't it an automatic?

[NomisR]

Last time it happened, my RSX had a bad O2 sensor and the idle was going low enough that it was stalling.  So I stall out about 4-5 times a day.. since the sensored got replaced.  Not yet..

[Onslaught]

I just did. My mouth opened up in disbelief and the first thing I thought of was this post. I was trying to back my RX-8 into my shop next to my Miata. It's a small shop and I wanted to dry them both off in there after washing them to get out of the cold. I was being too careful and somehow didn't give it enough gas like an idiot.

[Lebowski]

I just did. My mouth opened up in disbelief and the first thing I thought of was this post. I was trying to back my RX-8 into my shop next to my Miata. It's a small shop and I wanted to dry them both off in there after washing them to get out of the cold. I was being too careful and somehow didn't give it enough gas like an idiot.

Doesnt count if moving backwards.