The topic is psychological cars, automobile sex and sexuality, vehicle arousal, eroticism, psychosexuality, fetish, fantasy, attraction, confusion, passion, excitement. It concerns what happens when car-owners experience sudden jolts from their engines and clutches during driving, such as when the accelerator pedal suddenly releases its tension, or the handbrake gets jammed, even while the driver is trying to control his emotions. These phenomena have been reported for decades, yet no study has ever explained why they occur or what kind of fantasies are elicited. The present paper seeks to provide an explanation based on psychoanalytic theory.
Sigmund Freud proposed that humans develop unconscious desires and fears in childhood. According to him, human life begins with a phase called the Oedipus Complex, wherein children seek the mother's attention and love but must compete with the father for her affection. This creates anxiety and guilt which can be managed by identifying with the parent of the same gender (the boy wants to become like dad, the girl like mom) and repressing feelings towards the opposite parent (lust, envy). In this way, the superego (moral conscience) becomes established. Later in life, it may emerge again, creating conflicts between the conscious mind (the ego), desire, and morality.
These conflicts cause fantasies: in Freudian terms, dreams of gratification not yet permitted. Car owners might feel sexual frustration due to delayed marriage, bad relationships, loneliness, or general lack of intimacy. When they drive, these repressed desires surface, leading them to experience sudden arousal at unexpected moments - such as when the engine starts or stops. If the owner feels guilty about it, he/she might blame the car itself.
If the driver is married and satisfied, then the jolts could symbolize his/her wife's unpredictability.
A sudden increase in speed might represent an increase in marital tension; a long clutch release might signify prolonged intimacy. The person might also feel excitement when engaging the handbrake since it makes the car immobile, like sex without pregnancy risks. Or else, the driver might use the vehicle as a substitute partner, thinking that "he" understands me best while ignoring the family.
Car-owners should analyze their thoughts and emotions more deeply. They needn't be ashamed or embarrassed; instead, they can consult with a therapist who will help them identify and express their fears and desires openly. This way, they can resolve past traumas and establish healthier relationships.