How to recover when stalling while driving

[axl911]

Hi All,

While on my way to work this AM, the engine stalled when I depressed the clutch while moving. Yep....I have a lightweight flywheel on my 95.

My question is how should I restart the engine? In the past, I put the car in neutral and engaged the starter. Today, I simply put the car in gear (2nd at the time since speed was around 20 mph) and let out the clutch. The car lurched, popped, and started back up.

In a situation when your car is in traffic and moving, what's the best way to get the engine restarted? Us the starter or pop the clutch? I don't think popping the clutch does any harm, does it?

thanks,
anthony

[aigel]

Letting the clutch out while in gear and rolling is an excellently way to get the car started again. Essentially that's what you do when you push start a vehicle. There is only a few things that may be harmful here: You have to select a gear that will not over-rev the engine (say, you don't want to be in 2nd doing 80mph), you want to make sure nobody is behind you, as your car may slow without brake lights coming on and last but not least, you want to be on a dry, non slippery surface. On snow or ice (I have heard of such substances?), the trick may only lock up your rear tires and send you in a spin.

Cheers, George

[Rot 911]

To me it's just natural (and quicker) to just pop the clutch if the car is rolling.

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by axl911

Today, I simply put the car in gear (2nd at the time since speed was around 20 mph) and let out the clutch. The car lurched, popped, and started back up.

Nothing says you have to let the clutch all the way out.