Why did my engine stop while driving?

Your car can stall even after ensuring that everything is fine before going. However, the problem may not be as obvious, so taking it into a shop. These are some of the common issues that may cause your car to stop.

1. No fuel

While it seems unlikely that you didn’t notice that your tank is empty, it is more common than you imagine. It may also happen when you change your driving, so your car consumes more fuel than usual. This is why it is good to have some fuel in your car to get you out of such situations. This is one of the more straightforward issues to solve.

2. Bad ignition switch

If you are driving an old car that hasn’t been serviced as recommended, you may have a problem. The vehicle may stall when there is an issue with the ignition switch. This is caused by a current break between the battery and the starter. Unfortunately, there is no fast way to solve this problem, but you could try starting the car a few times before calling a tow.

3. Malfunctioning fuel pump

The fuel pump essentially takes fuel from the tank into the engine for combustion, which helps the car function. This needs to happen at a specific flow rate and pressure; any problem here makes the car stall. Still on the pump’s functions, if there is an issue with the filter, then it is likely the pump is delivering impure fuel to the engine. This could cause a blockage that could interfere with the delivery of power.

4. Low-quality fuel

Some engines require the best quality of fuel to function. It is known as high octane fuel, and if you feed it anything different, it could make the engine stop suddenly. This is why it is essential to be careful about where you refill your vehicle. Unfortunately, this is not a problem that can be instantly solved, so you need professional help.

5. Battery is dead

This is a critical component in your car since it allows it to ignite and run continuously. However, if it dies without your knowledge, then your vehicle would stall since it won’t have electricity for operating. If you suspect that the battery is the issue, don’t try too hard to restart it since this could overwork the alternator.

6. Malfunctioned alternator

A good battery is useless without a well-functioning alternator since it charges the battery to run the vehicle. You may not notice this problem until you get your car running since the alternator works when the engine is on. However, most new models can identify the issue, and you will notice a battery light on the dashboard. Don’t rush to change your battery without having the alternator checked.

7. Bad spark plugs

if your vehicle is gasoline or diesel operated, then it needs the spark plug to ignite it to combust fuel to run the engine. These plugs could malfunction or be hindered from performing their job, which would cause the engine to stop immediately. The issue could be with the spark plug themselves, plug wire, or crankshaft.

8. Signal sensors

If you are driving a very modern car, then you know that sensors are everything. Some read movements from the engine and direct the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). In the case of gasoline engines, they also work with spark plugs for ignition. The sensors could be faulty, stopping all operations in the vehicle or sending the wrong directions to the ECU. This culminates in the engine stopping while driving.

9. Faulty ECU

The sensors help the ECU to do its job. However, the sensors could function adequately, but the ECU could have a problem that prevents the car from running well. When the electronic unit is broken, the vehicle may lack adequate power to operate. The check engine light commonly signals this, but there are cases where it may not go on. An ECU issue should be solved immediately, so do not ignore it since it would easily get you a hefty bill.

10. Overheating

There are several reasons why your car may overheat; one is a faulty coolant sensor. The sensor could give inaccurate readings or stop working suddenly. When it doesn’t deliver coolant into the engine, it will stop immediately to avoid any damage.

What should you do if your vehicle stops while driving?

It is dangerous to start looking for a solution while on the road. You should be concerned about keeping yourself and other road users safe.

1. Turn on the hazard lights

This is the first thing you should do to ensure that other drivers can see the car, so they slow down while approaching you. It could also help you get some assistance from other users if need be by giving you space or helping you get a tow if you are unable to.

2. Get the car off the road

If possible, drive off your car to the side of the road as soon as possible before the car shuts down entirely. If it goes off, try restarting it a few times until you are safely off the road. In case you are unable to, keep the flashers on and try to get help from other drivers to push the vehicle off the road.

3. Try to restart the car

When your car has shut down fully, give it a few minutes to cool down, then try to restart it. Sometimes you may be successful. If you are, then the issue could be the fuel filter is clogged. If your vehicle uses gasoline, then it could be a faulty spark plug. Unless you have extensive knowledge of fixing cars, it is always advisable to get professional help.

The issue of your car stalling while driving is a broad one, and you may have a question about a situation in which you’ve found yourself. The following are some of the commonly asked questions.

What happens if your engine dies while driving?

The immediate effect when your engine stops while driving, then you will lose power in both the steering and brakes. This makes navigating the vehicle quite tricky, but you can slowly guide it off the road to better examine the issue.

Why did my car shut off while driving and won’t start?

Several issues could cause your car to switch off while driving, including a faulty ignition system. The ignition system supplies power for the engine to run, so your vehicle may suddenly stop if it has a problem. Most of these problems can only be identified and solved by a car mechanic.

Why would my car suddenly lose power while driving?

The issue could be mechanical or electrical. Mechanical problems could be caused by blocked and dirty filters or low fuel pump. Electrical issues have to do with the battery, so either the battery is dead, or the alternator is faulty. Another cause is the sensors malfunctioning, such as those in the engine or the coolant.

Can a dead battery cause a car to die while driving?

Yes, it can. Usually, if your battery is dead, then you cannot start the vehicle. However, if it is not fully there yet, the car may ignite but stall soon after, overworking the alternator. You could also damage the alternator, so before changing the battery, check that the alternator is in good condition.

What causes a vehicle to stop while driving?

If your fuel tank is empty or not at the correct pressure, it could suddenly stop. If your fuel injectors are faulty, especially in gas or diesel engines, it will lead to engine failure. A clogged exhaust pipe could also cause it since it interferes with how well the engine combusts fuel.

What causes a car to stall while driving?

It could be caused by inadequate airflow to the engine, or low-quality fuel could cause temporary stalling. Also, issues with the fuel filter, especially when dirty, could prevent the engine from functioning correctly.

What causes a car not to start if the battery is good?

If you are confident that your battery is working, then the likely problem is with the alternator. The alternator charges the car battery, which ensures that your engine functions properly. If the alternator has a problem, then the battery cannot charge, and your car won’t start.

How do you know when the alternator is going out?

A standard indicator that the alternator is not working well is some whining noises from the hood. If your car stalls frequently and you have just changed the battery, then it is a sign that the alternator is faulty. In some cars, you could also get a battery light indicator that there is a problem.

Can low oil cause a car to shut off?

Usually, low oil doesn’t lead to your engine shutting off. However, when the oil is too low- almost empty, then this causes low oil pressure. This could cause the engine to stop to prevent any potential damage.

One of the best ways to avoid your car dying while driving is to start on top of servicing and repairs. A mechanic could identify many of these problems during the regular checks, so you are not inconvenienced. It is also best to address any emerging issues as fast as possible. This includes any warning lights since ignoring them could lead to bigger concerns.

It is legal to drive in flip-flops in all 50 states, and a US police officer has no right to charge you for driving with flip-flops. However, if you are caught in a potentially dangerous offense while driving in flip-flops, you will be charged with careless driving. While it is not legal to drive in flip-flops or barefoot, they increase the risks of causing an accident in certain circumstances.

Why is it dangerous to drive in flip-flops?

There are no laws against driving in loose footwear like flip flops and high heels, but they are potentially dangerous to wear when driving for several reasons.

• Flip flops can physically prevent the ability to drive and affect response time. Anything can happen on the road, and sometimes you are required to respond very quickly. Flip flops can prevent you from applying the right pressure to brake or accelerate promptly.
• Flip flops do not have ankle support, so your feet are likely to slip when pressing on a pedal or switching pedals.
• Flip flops do not have the proper restraints for your feet and can be a distraction when driving when they keep moving around.
• Since flip flops are loose shoes, the straps can get tangled around the pedals, and you may get distracted while attempting to free the shoes or tamper with the pedals.
• Some flip flips have rigid soles, so you may end up putting too much pressure on the gas pedal and end up accidentally accelerating and ramming into something.
• Also, wearing flip-flops when an accident occurs can nullify your car insurance and prevent you from seeking full compensation.

So you may want to reconsider the next time you wear flip-flops when driving. The footwear you choose when driving can significantly affect how the pedals feel, the ease of switching, and the pressure you exert on a pedal.

Can you drive barefoot in case you have no other appropriate driving shoes?

When it comes to driving barefoot, the debate is even more apparent. There is no law or legislation in the US against wearing a particular type of footwear or being barefoot when driving; however, there are also risks involved with driving barefoot. They include:

• Your feet may sweat and make the pedals slippery.
• Your feet can easily slip off from pedals as they d not have the same grip as shoes give.
• You may be unable to apply the heavy pressure required for the clutch pedal.
• If you have socks or stocking on, they can reduce traction between your feet and the pedals, therefore, reducing grip.

Even though driving barefoot is legal, people have a difference in opinion on what is safer between driving in flip-flops and barefoot. Most people, including legal practitioners and law enforcers, agree that driving in flip-flops could cause an accident. But opinions are split when it comes to driving barefoot. Some people say that it is best to drive barefoot as you have more control of the pressure you exert on the pedals than when wearing flip-flops. We can also make the same argument about other shoes like boots and high heels.

We also have those who argue that driving barefoot is less safe than wearing flip flops because your ability to apply the right pressure on the pedal is different when not wearing any footwear. If you are barefoot, it seems less likely to use the appropriate force on a pedal when in certain situations, such as wearing nylon stockings or having sweaty feet, increasing your response time and making it less safe to drive barefoot. Another reason against driving barefoot is your feet may slip down as they do not have the needed grip to stay stable on the pedals, which ultimately increases response time.

Those who are for driving barefoot claim that it is the best way to drive. They say that your feet are more comfortable and light. You also have better control when switching your foot since you have no footwear weighing you down. They also say that you are more likely to notice brake problems as you may feel vibrations from the brake pedal better with bare feet. But similar to wearing flip flops if you get into an accident when barefoot, you can still be charged for careless driving for lack of proper footwear when driving.

Despite some drivers’ argument on barefoot driving being safe, some states such as Ohio and South Dakota do not recommend driving barefoot though it is legal. In a state like Alabama, it is illegal to ride a motorcycle barefoot. Here are some common questions people ask about footwear when driving and whether or not they are legal:

Is it illegal to drive with flip-flops in New Jersey?

The police will not charge you for driving with flip flops in NJ or barefoot, but if you cause an accident, they will assume and argue that wearing flip flops or lack of footwear made you lose control over your pedals.

Is it illegal to drive with flip-flops in California?

The state government in California does not prevent anybody from driving barefoot or in flip-flops, but they insist that the shoes you wear should allow you pedal control when driving.

Most nonresidents and even residents in most states in the US may not be aware of the laws and regulations that involve footwear when driving. If you love to travel or are traveling soon, it is best to know the laws that apply in that country when it comes to footwear when driving.  I have done a short research on popular tourist destinations and their laws or opinions about driving in flip-flops or barefoot.

Though most countries have no explicit law against bare feet or wearing flip-flops or any other kind of footwear while driving, there are countries and even places in those countries with very stringent regulations on when you are allowed to wear flip-flops or drive bare feet. Remember that the court can prosecute you if your choice of footwear when driving puts the lives of others and yours in danger.

Conclusion

People’s opinions also vary on what is safer between wearing flip-flops and being barefoot while driving. Still, the key is to examine how bare feet or flip-flops affect your driving ability. The choice of footwear may vary from person to person. Ultimately, it is your personal decision as a driver to make the choice that keeps you and those around you safe.

About 20 percent of drivers get distracted while driving. Do you want to be part of that statistic? Probably not.

Remaining focused and a simple trick of checking your mirrors often can help you stay away from accidents.

I’ve always checked my mirrors when driving and I’ve never rammed into another car. Let me share my tips.

From my experience, it is practical to check all your three car mirrors within every 10 seconds. While driving in traffic, my frequency of checking the mirrors is usually about every three seconds. In less busy roads, that frequency drops but remains within the 10 seconds I’ve mentioned.

I’ve explained my answer in-depth in the following section.

How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

From my short answer above, you can see the frequency of checking your side mirrors and rear mirror varies.

When I’m cruising on the highway at about 80 miles per hour, I tend to glance at all my mirrors every 10 seconds. However, I find myself checking my rear view mirror more often than the side mirrors because of no lane changing.

Also, since my highway driving needs few to no road position changes, checking my rear view mirror gives a great distance estimation of the vehicle behind me.

Side mirrors have concave mirrors that show the object further than their actual position.

The other reason I glance at my car mirrors less often on the highway is because I’m usually at high speed and need to focus on the road ahead.

On a busy road, I check my mirrors every few seconds.

On such roads all the vehicles around have slowed down and I can afford to take my eyes off the road ahead more often.

I’ve shared below the order in which I check my mirrors.

How to remember to check mirrors when driving

Quite a number of drivers have trouble remembering to check their car mirrors when driving.

For me, checking mirrors is second nature. Let me share how I manage to do it that easily.

The idea is simple. Every time I get into a car, I remind myself it only takes one second for an accident to take place. So, I stay alert and focused, which involves keeping my eyes on the road ahead and checking my mirrors often.

While driving, I also keep reminding myself that the other drivers on the road can lose their focus at any time. With that in mind, I just have to check my mirrors to keep a safe distance from other cars around me.

Remembering how to often take a glance at your rear and side mirrors is more of a habit. You need to practice to hone this habit.

I went back in time to when I was a beginner driver to remember what I did to be good at checking my mirrors. Here are tips you can use to remember to check your car mirrors.

1. Get a “co-driver”

Get a passenger to act as a co-driver. The work of the passenger is to keep you reminding you to check your mirrors.

The passenger can use a stopwatch to count every 10 seconds. If you prefer you can set the interval at 15 seconds.

Do this trick on a less busy road several times and it will start to stick as a habit.

2. Practice for 30 minutes everyday

If you really want to never forget to check your mirrors, there’s no other way than practicing.

Take 30 minutes off your schedule and go practice to check your car mirrors when driving.

During the practice the idea is to keep checking the rear and side mirrors to know what’s around your car while focusing on your driving.

Practice every day for a couple of weeks and you’ll soon find a comfortable rhythm and a sense of how often to glance at your mirrors depending on the driving situation.

3. Use the Mirror-Signal-Maneuver (MSM) approach

I remember my driving instructor always reminding me to check my mirrors first before signaling if I wanted to change my road position.

Over time it became part of my driving.

So, if you keep forgetting to check your mirrors, tell yourself to always remember the initials MSM.

Before you signal you want to change lanes or make a turn, always check the mirrors.

If you want to change your road position to the left, check the rear view mirror then the left side mirror then signal. When planning to change lanes to the right, check the rear view mirror then the right side mirror then signal before moving to the right.

4. Use triggers

The triggers you’d want to use to help you always remember to check your side mirrors are the following.

• When you want to change lanes
• When slowing down
• When you want to accelerate
• If you’re planning to make a turn

I’ll explain why it’s necessary to check your mirrors in the situations listed. Keep reading.

5. Enroll for defensive driving lessons

If you’ve tried the tips above and you still can’t remember to check your car mirrors when driving, then the last resort is to go for defensive driving lessons.

These driving lessons are intense and will really hone your driving skills.

Just to highlight what these classes entail, you’ll learn to not only learn how to be a keen driver with minimal mistakes on the road, but also be aware of other drivers and how to quickly react to incidents as a driver.

How do you check mirrors while driving?

The correct way of checking your mirrors is using the MSM approach.

Start with the rear view mirror then the side mirrors. As I have already mentioned, to be aware of what’s happening on the left side of your car you need to check the rear then the left side mirror.

To know what’s on the right side of your car, you have to take a glance at the rear then the right hand side mirror.

If it’s already a habit, you’ll find yourself checking the rear view mirror more often than the sides. Afterall checking the rear mirror more frequently is a good thing since it gives you a more accurate distance estimation of the car behind than the sides.

When should you check your mirrors when driving?

If you’ve read the section above about how to remember to check your mirrors, I mentioned some triggers.

Actually, the triggers I listed are good indicators for when you should check your car mirrors when driving. Let’s go through them.

1. Before you change lanes or road position

You’ll be putting yourself in danger if you change road lanes without checking your mirrors.

So, if you’re planning to change lanes in the next few miles ahead, make sure to check your rear view mirror then either the left or right side mirror depending on where you want to move.

When in such a situation you can frequently check your sides and only change your road position if the road is clear and there’s no car approaching at a high speed.

You also need to signal early enough to let the drivers behind you know you’re about to change lanes.

2. When braking

You do not want to step on the brakes especially without checking the rear view mirror.

Suddenly slowing down could cause the driver to ram into you if they hadn’t maintained a safe braking distance.

Taking a glance at the rear before braking will give you an idea of gently or quickly you can safely slow down.

3. When you’re about to accelerate

Make sure before you step on the gas to check all the three mirrors.

Knowing how other drivers around you are behaving will help you accelerate only when it’s safe. Accelerating without checking your rear and sides can easily lead to an accident especially if there’s another driver who’s already accelerating and planning to change lanes after overtaking you.

4. When you want to turn, exit a road, or join another road

Imagine making a left turn without checking your left side mirror. That’s dangerous.

You can easily crash into the vehicle on your left.

Start actively checking your mirrors about a mile before your next turn. Do the same when you’re about to exit a road or want to join another road to avoid a T-bone accident.

Conclusion

Checking the three mirrors on your car is a basic practice that many drivers learn early on as beginner drivers. Your instructor will keep reminding you to glance at your mirrors.

When on your own, you have to check the rear and side mirrors often to avoid getting into an accident. I do it about every 10 seconds. On a less busy road, you can afford to check after 20 to 30 seconds.

Generally, on a busy road the frequency of checking the three mirrors should be higher than on a road with few to no cars.

Now, what we need to know is whether it’s better to drive without or with shoes.

You might be spending hours going through your shoe collection to pick the best shoe for driving for your next road trip. What if you didn’t need that shoe at all and you’re more comfortable driving barefooted.

I always drive while wearing my favorite Vans or Chuck Taylors, let’s find out if barefoot driving can be an option.

Let’s start with the short answer for barefoot or shoed driving.

Generally, it’s better to drive with shoes than barefoot. Some beginner drivers say driving without shoes gives them better grip and feel of the pedals. The repeated stepping on the pedals can become painful on a long drive and you could lose the ability to control the car. Having comfortable shoes on gives much better grip.

What does the law say about driving without shoes?

Is it illegal to drive barefoot?

It is not illegal to drive a car without shoes in most parts of the world including the United States and United Kingdom. There’s no law that prohibits bare feet driving.

For instance, in Michigan, there’s no clause in their vehicle code that says it is wrong to drive without wearing any shoes.

That’s the case with all the other states in the US. You can drive around in any state without worrying about committing any offense that can accumulate points in the Point System.

Is it illegal to drive with flip flops?

Similarly, to driving barefooted, there’s no law that states the kind of footwear one has to put on while driving. So, you’ll be committing no offense if you choose to drive in flip flops.

What I’d want you to be aware of is the experience of driving with flip flops.

To some drivers, flip flops really feel comfortable while driving. The problem with this type of footwear is that they can be dangerous if they’re loose, slippery, or large.

Let’s talk about the challenges of driving in flip flops in the next section below.

Is it better to drive with flip flops or barefoot?

Actually, is it better to drive without shoes compared to flip flops? Does this come as a surprise to you?

Barefoot driving is even safer than flip flops.

Let’s start with driving without shoes being better than turning to flip flops as your driving footwear.

Driving barefooted will give you a good feel for the pedals. It usually translates to good control of the car while on the move.

On the flipside, most flip flops are loose and slippery. To say the least, you’ll struggle driving with flip flops. Part of your attention will go into trying to ensure the flip flops don’t slide off your feet. Sweaty feet will also add to your list of troubles controlling the car.

Also, in case the flip flops are wide, you could easily step on the gas instead of the brake pedal.

Is it safe to drive barefoot?

It’s within the law to drive without shoes. So, you can drive a car without shoes. However, is it safe to do so?

On short trips to run errands in an automatic transmission car, barefoot driving can be safe.

I’m yet to drive barefoot, but I have a friend who does it all the time. From my observation, it’s pretty easy and comfortable to drive without shoes. However, his drives are usually less than 50 miles. I don’t know how he’ll fare on a long road trip especially because he drives a 2014 Toyota Hilux with a manual transmission.

Logically though, you’re likely to sweat when driving especially in summer. Now imagine having sweaty and slippery feet while trying to drive a manual car. Your feet will lose grip and easily slide and miss the pedals. In such a tricky situation, you can lose control of the car in a heartbeat posing danger to yourself and other road users.

That should answer your question in case you were wondering is it dangerous to drive without shoes.

Driving barefoot means the skin on your feet gets worked and can develop blisters. With the blisters, it will only be a matter of time before the pain of controlling the pedals becomes unbearable. I guess you’d want to choose a painful driving experience instead of wearing shoes.

Now that we’re talking about shoes, do you have a preferred pair that you’re willing to bet they’re the best?

What are the best shoes for driving?

Picking the best shoes from the tons of options available on the market is a matter up for debate. Everyone has their favorite footwear. For me, I’ve driven in Chuck Taylors and a couple of Vans shoes and they’re really comfortable.

At the end of the day though, the best shoes for driving are those that fit perfectly, have a thin sole that’s grippy for the pedals, preferably low profile, and are comfortable to wear for long hours.

What shoes are you not allowed to drive in?

Just as is for barefoot driving, there’s no law that states the specific kind of shoes a driver should wear while behind the wheel. So, you can drive in any type of shoes that you want.

With the freedom of driving in any shoes you want comes responsibility. You need to pick wisely unless you want to end up with a pair of oversized boots. If for some reason you still wear oversized shoes while driving, you’ll quickly realize how tough it is to control the car.

Does driving barefoot invalidate your insurance?

Motor insurance companies (actually all insurance companies) are always keen on details. Also, some of their terms that can invalidate your cover are in fine print.

Since barefoot driving isn’t illegal, it is only in extreme cases that your insurer can invalidate your insurance cover especially after you get into an accident.

After an accident, the normal thing to do is to file for a claim payout. However, your insurance company will have to investigate the matter to determine the cause of the accident. You’ll only qualify for a payout if the reason for the accident wasn’t your fault.

If you’re driving without shoes and you get into an accident, the police can determine your barefoot driving as the cause.

With the help of that police report, your insurer could easily perceive your case as reckless driving. And in such a case, your chances of getting a payout will be close to zero.

So, it is safe to say you can occasionally drive barefooted without breaking the law. During such occasional drives, make sure you don’t cause an accident. That way, you can get away with both barefoot driving and not getting on the wrong side of the law.

Take away

You can drive without shoes in most parts of the world without breaking any law. However, you can lose control of the car if you’re barefoot behind the wheel.

Also, another point to note is that you’d rather drive barefoot than in heels or flip flops. Always choose comfortable and fitting footwear if you want smooth drives.

You’re likely to receive no payout if you’re involved in an accident and you were wearing no shoes while driving.