2019 Aygo, clutch stalling a lot?

[ayfrgo11]

I have a 2019 Aygo with 60.000 KM on it, however i seem to stall quite often, it usually happens in low speeds around 10-15 KM/H, for example when i am coming to a red light, and it's turning green. I will come all the way down to around 10-15 KM/H, if i change to 2nd gear and try to drive off, the car will start rocking back and forth and not let me drive, and if i go into 1st gear, it accelerates extremely slowly or even sometimes will stall.

 

Does anyone know if i should just get used to driving the Aygo, or if there is some problem or similar with the clutch?

[DJ123]

That is very low rev's/speed for the car. It is a small, naturally aspirated engine - the power and torque is further up the rev range. It will accelerate slow from that slow speed - even in 1st gear. That speed, IMO, is far too low for 2nd to make any 'good' progress. 

This engine needs to be revved/you need to use the revs to drive it correctly. The gear ratios are long for a reason. Pulling away should be 1st until at least 10-15 mph, before changing into 2nd. 

[ayfrgo11]

2 minutes ago, DJ123 said:

That is very low rev's/speed for the car. It is a small, naturally aspirated engine - the power and torque is further up the rev range. It will accelerate slow from that slow speed - even in 1st gear. That speed, IMO, is far too low for 2nd to make any 'good' progress. 

This engine needs to be revved/you need to use the revs to drive it correctly. The gear ratios are long for a reason. Pulling away should be 1st until at least 10-15 mph, before changing into 2nd. 

I'm still a fairly new driver, so i don't really know how to rev match or anything yet..

Would you recommend just revving the speeder more in these cases?

I've just been trying to be careful not to overrev the engine, as i don't wanna cause any damage to the engine.

[Red_Corolla]

At that kind of speed, you really should be changing into first, although I do appreciate that a smooth downshift into 1st without stopping is not always easy. Your alternative is to use 2nd and slip the clutch a little to bring your speed up, but don't make a habit of it.

When you demand lots of acceleration from a low rev / high gear situation, that is called 'labouring,' and it's one of the most harmful things you can do for an engine. Think of the parts inside your engine as being like your knees when you are riding a bicycle: if you try to pedal up a hill in a high gear, it's really stressful for the legs. Lower gear and spinning the legs freely is much easier: same principle for your engine!

A few more revs will not hurt the engine at all. All you need to do is avoid very high revs or hard acceleration while the engine is still warming up.

[ayfrgo11]

28 minutes ago, Red_Corolla said:

At that kind of speed, you really should be changing into first, although I do appreciate that a smooth downshift into 1st without stopping is not always easy. Your alternative is to use 2nd and slip the clutch a little to bring your speed up, but don't make a habit of it.

When you demand lots of acceleration from a low rev / high gear situation, that is called 'labouring,' and it's one of the most harmful things you can do for an engine. Think of the parts inside your engine as being like your knees when you are riding a bicycle: if you try to pedal up a hill in a high gear, it's really stressful for the legs. Lower gear and spinning the legs freely is much easier: same principle for your engine!

A few more revs will not hurt the engine at all. All you need to do is avoid very high revs or hard acceleration while the engine is still warming up.

Why shouldn't i make a habit of slipping the clutch in 2nd gear? Is it harmful for the engine?

While i don't usually check my revs, i tend to accelerate to around 15-20 km/h, and then change to 2nd gear, however i seem to most often stall in 1st gear in situations with a very low speed, for example if i'm doing a turn or deaccelerating for a red light, and then it becomes green again, maybe it's because i'm too quick with releasing the clutch that i stall

[Wiz201]

I'm an automatic driver, but I do know some manual principles. The biting point on Aygo clutches is very high, so you are probably releasing the clutch too quickly. It'll take some time to get used to.

[DJ123]

2 hours ago, ayfrgo11 said:

I'm still a fairly new driver, so i don't really know how to rev match or anything yet..

Would you recommend just revving the speeder more in these cases?

I've just been trying to be careful not to overrev the engine, as i don't wanna cause any damage to the engine.

At such low revs, matching is not a problem/issue - don't drop the clutch out. Feed it slowly. 

The engines are reliable and nigh on bullet proof (when maintained). A small capacity NA engine is designed to rev. It's how the engine makes it power. It does not have the torque of a Diesel or a turbo charged motor to simply pull at low revs without it being slow. 

When you next join a motorway, or fast road accelerate through the revs (6k i think is top) and you'll see the speed range from what it does from 2k rpm to 6k. 

[flash22]

listen to what the car is telling you, if it is kangarooing drop down a gear, if it's dying at low speeds give it more revs - it's a 1.0 3 cylinder it lacks power low in the rpm range, your more than likely learnt to drive in a more powerful car what is more forgiving at low rpm

if you are changing up at say 1500-2000 rpm try changing up later say 2500-3000 rpm

 

Don't worry it comes with time and practice

 

The Aygo does have a high biting point but the clutch might need a little adjustment

[Puglet]

As mentioned you just have to adapt your driving style with these little 3 cylinders, I had to years ago with ours, they like to rev, and unlike other cars we owned, you need first when 2nd 'should' be fine and then again our similar engined 107 will breeze some steep twisty hills near us in 3rd, but our other car bigger needs 2nd. Good thing is when you get the hang of it, they are a great fun drive, so enjoy.

[Cyker]

If you're a new driver, remember it's fine to dip the clutch if you feel a stall coming - You can feed power and gently re-engage it, or drop a gear.

If you've driven manuals before, it'll be mainly about getting used to the Aygo's clutch - It's a lot harder to feel than a lot of other cars (I struggled with it, coming from a Fiesta and a Yaris, which had much nicer clutches!) so you have to learn to operate it more by muscle memory than feel.

And don't be afraid to give it some revs - It's a very rev-happy engine and doesn't have much power or torque at the low end!

I had some USAian friends who were trying to learn 'stick', and one common issue they had is they were afraid of wearing out the clutch and would engage it too quickly, causing kangarooing and stalling.

Clutches are designed to be slipped momentarily and as long as you don't overheat them they will not be adversely affected.

 

One thing I did in any manual car I wasn't familiar with or was having trouble with that my instructor taught me, was to find a mild incline and park facing up it.

Then I set a fixed amount of accelerator input (2000-2500rpm ish) and slowly engage the clutch until I feel it take the weight of the car, then slowly release the handbrake so I'm just holding the car on the clutch.

Then I'll feed it in slowly to make the car climb up the slope very slowly a few metres, then dip it to hold it still on the clutch again, then release it slightly so the car rolls backwards to where it was before, gently feeding more clutch in again to slow the car to a stop.

I find this is one of the best ways to give your brain and foot the feel of how the clutch behaves in a given car.

Alas I suspect I've lost most of that ability now, being spoilt by this hybrid!!  

[GalloB]

On 10/11/2024 at 12:49 PM, ayfrgo11 said:

I'm still a fairly new driver, so i don't really know how to rev match or anything yet..

Would you recommend just revving the speeder more in these cases?

I've just been trying to be careful not to overrev the engine, as i don't wanna cause any damage to the engine.

I had to learn to change my driving habits a bit when I jumped in the Aygo. As others have said moving down to first when you would traditionally stay in 2nd fixed it for me. Took me a couple of months and a few stalls but It's second nature now. The Aygo is a great car but you do have to give it some beans. When you do it will shift.