[theonefrombrum]

I've had about 9 lessons and I've stalled about 5/6 times so far. I don't really get embarrassed, I mean babies fall over a lot when they're learning to walk, I consider it to be the same sort of thing. I know that every single road user either behind me or to the right or left of me stalled too when they were learning and so I don't really give a **** what they think tbh.

Also, I know exactly why I stall when I have done. It's simply because I'm eager to get going and move off quickly, so sometimes I bring the clutch up a bit too fast and there's the problem. Recently however I've just gotten into the habit of doing it slowly and then applying gas when it's just creeping forward, so I move off quick enough. Honestly to everyone who stalls, try not to worry about it, it's a natural part of the learning process and other road users should know that.

[Kuroudo]

So far done 2 1/2 hours of lessons, including A-roads and roundabouts and haven't stalled yet

So i get negged for actually being able to drive a car well in my first 2 lessons and my instructor saying he "had the confidence in me" to take me on main roads on my second lesson? lame

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by youcanhumpmyleg)
2nd driving lesson today was learning about junctions and things.... any who i stalled maby 3 - 4 times lol i only stalled twice on my frist lesson! in the beginning how many times did people stall? i find it embarrasing lol !!! i hope when im on main roads next week that i dont stall in middle of a round about or at traffic lights or something stupid lol !!!

Lots. You'll discover that instructors' cars have very hard wearing clutches that get changed alarmingly frequently!

It's a case of practice makes perfect - been driving 3 years now and hardly stall at all, you just get used to it. (Hell, I've done a hill start in 3rd and managed to not stall it! Car did NOT like me, but it didn't stall.)

Some practical advice - spend a bit of time practising finding the "bite point" and learning the tells that you're on it. Get in a car (you can use your parents to practise, but all cars are slightly different so it won't be in the same place in your instructor's)

wearing thin soled shoes is best.

With the handbrake on put it in first and slowly bring the clutch out until you reach the bite point. There are a few signs that tell you this.

1. You feel the resistance of the clutch change slightly, a bit of force/vibration transfers through it from the gearbox

2. If you watch the rev-counter, with your foot off the accelerator, the revs will drop from above 1000 to a bit bellow and hold steady.

3. You will hear the engine sound get deeper (as the revs fall)

If you take the handbrake off here, even on a bit of a hill, the car should stay where it is (if you're gone too far it might start to move forwards - the bite point has some leeway on it)

practice finding it a few (or many!) times until you can do so without watching the revs, and smoothly.

To move off, release the handbrake, and put on a small amount of accelerator (rest your foot on it and apply a very small amount of pressure - more if you're on a hill). Then gently ease the clutch further out a bit (this needs to be a slow movement, doing it too quickly is what stalls the car). Once you're rolling a bit you're in the clear, ease the clutch out smoothly and off you go.

If you feel the engine struggling (the car or clutch shaking), add more throttle to recover it (don't overdo it, you can easily send the revs through the roof!)