Stasis lock

Stasis lock is a critical state of being for Transformers. Stasis lock is a sort of coma that allows a Transformer to stay alive, running at the lowest level of power, despite massive energy loss or traumatic damage. It is comparable to the sleep mode of the computer on which you are currently reading this. Stasis lock can come about in a few different ways.

The first way is implemented by a Transformer's locking chip after a shock from massive damage. When the Ark crashed on Earth all of the occupants on board were forced into emergency stasis lock.

The second way seems to be a more gradual process and can come about from damage and energy depletion over a longer period of time. This method is either an unconscious or conscious decision, and the Transformer is not able to override stasis lock on purpose (which is proven to be an unconscious action by the Transformer's on-board computer, though it may be dangerous to do so).