When I depress the accelerator, my automobile jerks and sways, yet when I release the pedal, it comes to a complete stop.
Insufficient fuel, air, or spark during combustion is frequently the cause of an acceleration issue.
One of the most frequent reasons for cars to stutter is worn-out spark plugs or the electrical wires connected to them. When you speed, your automobile jerks because the engine misfires due to a defective spark plug.
Additionally, the engine can be far noisier than usual, sounding more like an airplane taking off than a car.
Another cause of jerky acceleration in a car is a blocked catalytic converter because a blockage can impair airflow through the exhaust system.
You might experience a delay in your car’s response when you depress the accelerator, followed by an abrupt jerk or lurch forward. There might also be a scent like rotting eggs.
You might be knowledgeable enough to change the spark plugs yourself if the problem is anything as simple as defective ones. A decent catalytic converter cleaner may also help you clear minor obstructions.
However, it’s preferable to get professional assistance if you don’t fully comprehend the workings of your car or if the obstruction is more significant.
To find a mechanic you can rely on, go through our RAC Approved Garage Network. If your automobile needs maintenance, you can have piece of mind knowing that it is only being serviced by garages who deliver excellent craftsmanship and outstanding customer care.
In This Article...
When I accelerate, why does my Honda Accord stutter?
Over time, fuel injector nozzles may clog, which may result in a sputtering engine, sluggish acceleration, and insufficient power for the vehicle. If the issue is discovered quickly, the fuel injectors can be cleaned; but, if the situation develops, the injectors may need to be replaced.
What does a car jerking mean?
It usually indicates that something is interfering with the normal distribution and transmission of power when your car jerks or stumbles when accelerating. The most benign explanation is probably if you haven’t yet developed the feel of shifting for your particular car while operating a manual transmission.
What causes jerky transmission?
Transmissions that are in good working order maintain your ride comfortable when shifting gears. Automatic transmissions that jerk, tremble, or shift harshly could indicate that the fluid in the transmission needs to be changed or is low. Abnormal gear shifts in a manual transmission car could point to worn clutches, damaged gear synchros, or other, more serious problems.
What are the symptoms of a failing transmission?
Nine Warning Signs Your Transmission Is Fail
- Will Not Change Gears. A failing transmission may also refuse to change ratios.
- The Slipping Gears The gears slipping is the situation that we discussed in the opening.
- Noise During Shift.
- Unobtrusive Sounds
- Vibrating or shaking
- Burning odors
- Fluid Spills.
- Pink Liquid
What’s wrong with the acceleration of my Honda Accord?
For a combustion engine (gas or diesel) to operate well, the fuel and air must be precisely balanced. If there is any deviation from this combination, the engine may run too lean (not enough air) or too rich (not enough fuel). A fuel/air mixture that is excessively lean is most likely the cause of an engine’s hesitation when accelerating. When an engine is operating inefficiently, it will start to exhibit symptoms like hesitancy, which will only become worse over time. Have your vehicle checked out right away if you detect any signs, such as hesitation.
If my automobile jerks, can I still drive it?
Your car may jerk when accelerating for a number of reasons, as you can see from the list above. By observing the speed at which your car jerks, you can eliminate some of the potential causes. Your car may jerk in various ways and at various speeds. In other words, if your automobile jerks at low speeds, the issue that’s causing it might not be the same as if it jerks at high speeds.
Car Jerks When Accelerating At Low Speeds
There are numerous issues that could be the cause of a car jerking at moderate speeds. However, it’s frequently blamed on malfunctioning spark plugs, which are easy to fix. The problem should be readily resolved with a replacement or a short tune-up, and they don’t cost much to complete.
Remember that if you have an older vehicle, it could also be brought on by issues with the air intake, catalytic converter, fuel injectors, or carburetor. If adjusting or replacing the spark plugs doesn’t solve the problem, you should inspect the other components.
Car Jerks When Accelerating At High Speeds
When an automobile shakes while accelerating at high speeds, airflow problems are frequently to blame. At high speeds, your car needs more air to be injected into the engine. Your car will have trouble providing the right amount of air to the engine if there is a problem with the intake system. Your engine won’t function properly since the combustion process will be hampered. It results in misfires and jerking when your automobile tries to accelerate.
If you experience this, you should examine your air intake system and mass air flow sensor, and if necessary, get it replaced. However, this could also be caused by other issues.
In any event, if you’re experiencing this, it would be smart to examine your car right away. Driving a car that jerks when accelerating at high speeds can be risky since you risk losing control of the speed of your vehicle. If the drivers behind you are unaware, your car may lose speed quickly and you may be rear-ended.
Car Jerks While Driving At Constant Speed
Your automobile will jerk if you try to accelerate from a complete stop or while maintaining a constant speed because it is not obtaining enough gasoline to do so smoothly. When your fuel system is unable to supply a constant stream of fuel to your engine, it is frequently the result of dirty fuel injectors or fuel pump problems. This can be distressing because it means that even in normal driving situations, like backing out of a parking place, your automobile will find it difficult to move.
Why does my automobile hesitate when I step on the gas?
One of the most frequent reasons for a sputtering engine is a problem with the fuel system of the car, specifically the filter, pump, and injectors. Together, these three vital parts make sure that fuel moves smoothly from the fuel tank to your engine’s fuel injectors and then evenly pumps into the engine. The combustion that powers your car is created by this process, which creates the ideal mixture of fuel and air.
Since the fuel filter, pump, and injectors operate as a single, integrated system, clogging one of them will cause the others to malfunction. This may result in subpar engine operation or even total engine failure.
Firestone Complete Auto Care advises cleaning your car’s fuel system once a year to help you better avoid such problems. Make sure to consult your owner’s manual to find out whether a once-a-year cleaning is sufficient or whether your car requires more frequent maintenance. Any fuel system problems your car might be having can be found and fixed by one of our skilled specialists.
Does your automobile jolt when the air filter is dirty?
The amount of air delivered to the engine is reduced by a dirty air filter. This may result in more unburned fuel, which eventually develops into soot residue. Spark plug tips may accumulate soot, which prevents them from producing a strong spark. In response, the vehicle may jolt, idle, and under some conditions, the engine may misfire.
Transmission Fluid Leaks
One of the simplest signs that you have a transmission issue is leaking transmission fluid. Unlike engine oil, transmission fluid does not burn up while in operation. You probably have a leak if you check your transmission fluid and it’s low.
A leak in the transmission fluid is frequently caused by worn gaskets, a sloppy transmission pan, or an unbalanced drive shaft. A smart approach to keep track of this is to regularly check your transmission fluid.
Burning Odor
A faint burning stench could be coming from your transmission fluid if you start to smell it. To keep the transmission lubricated, transmission fluid is essential. The transmission itself could start to burn up due to burned fluid. If you smell this, it’s crucial to have your car evaluated because it might become a serious issue very fast.
Delayed Movement
Transmissions are made to always select the appropriate gear. It may be an indication of a broken transmission if you experience any hesitancy or if your automobile isn’t going as quickly as the engine is turning. This is a safety issue as well as a vehicular issue.
Odd Sounds
The sounds that your car can make depend on whether it has an automatic or manual transmission. If a manual transmission is broken, changing gear will cause it to suddenly grind. On the other hand, an automatic transmission will emit a whining, humming, or buzzing sound.
It is important to get your car’s transmission checked as soon as you notice any of these noises.
Warning Lights
The majority of modern cars are fitted with sensors that can spot issues long before you hear or see warning signals. These sensors will detect vibrations and other anomalies, and they will cause one of your dashboard lights to turn on. The most typical warning signs of transmission failure are the check engine and transmission temperature lights.
How can I tell if the fluid in my gearbox is low?
Low transmission fluid symptoms
- Puddles or drips beneath the automobile.
- Slipping or having trouble changing gears.
- shaking or trembling
- lurches or abrupt jerks.
- Transmitter won’t start up.
- noises like clunking or humming.
- a burning odor
What are the leading indicators of transmission issues?
Top 5 Transmission Trouble Signs
- Sounds of grinding. A grinding noise that happens during shifting is one of the more typical signs of transmission failure.
- Burning smell. Transmission fluid frequently has a tart or somewhat sweet fragrance.
- Transmission Alert Lamp.
- Shifting with a delay.
- Leak of transmission fluid.
Is repairing a transmission worthwhile?
You can make significant short-term financial savings by rebuilding your transmission while avoiding adding auto payments to your monthly spending plan. Many people consider repairing their transmission to be worthwhile. You may have to spend at least $2500 to rebuild a transmission, which is a substantial sum of money.
How much does a transmission repair cost?
The average cost of a transmission repair is between $300 and $1,400. If your manual transmission, for instance, requires a new clutch, you should prepare to spend between $800 and $1,500. However, replacing a transmission is one of the priciest repairs you can have. A replacement may cost between $1,800 and $3,400.
Why doesn’t my automobile move forward when I step on the gas?
Problems with Fuel and Air Delivery Lean engine conditions can lead to poor acceleration (not enough fuel). Similar to the last example, inadequate airflow can also prevent the engine from accelerating properly. Among the most frequent reasons for problems with fuel and air delivery are: inadequate fuel pump.
Why isn’t the car moving faster?
Another cause of a car not accelerating as it should when necessary is a filthy or clogged fuel filter.
The engine won’t receive enough fuel if the fuel filter is unclean, which prevents the car from accelerating as quickly as it should. The fuel filter should be changed as soon as feasible.