Your car shouldn’t jerk, ever, especially when you accelerate. Trojan Auto Care explains that if your vehicle is jerking when you press down on the accelerator, there is a problem with the acceleration cable or the engine. We are going to list the common reasons why vehicles jerk during acceleration below.
Acceleration Cable Damage
When you press down on your accelerator, the acceleration cable pulls the throttle plate open and this is what increases your car’s speed. If there is something wrong with the acceleration cable, the throttle plate will not be pulled open completely and your vehicle will jerk and struggle to pick up speed.
Clogged Catalytic Converter
A jerky acceleration can also indicate that you have a problem with the catalytic converter. This is a part that is in your exhaust system, and it is designed to handle the carbon monoxide that results from burning fuel. If there is too much fuel in the combustion chamber, or if you have 100,000 miles or more on your automobile, it is possible that your catalytic converter is clogged and you will end up with jerky acceleration as a result.
Clogged Fuel Injectors
Clogged fuel injectors or fuel lines can also cause your vehicle’s acceleration to be jerky. The fuel injectors get clogged naturally by carbon. Carbon is a byproduct of fuel-burning engines. As the fuel injectors get clogged, the amount of fuel they spray into the combustion chamber is spotty. This can make your acceleration jerk and your engine stutter.
Cylinder Damage
It’s also possible that you have cylinder damage. If the cylinders are damaged, you will end up with multiple detonations in them and the misfiring is what makes your acceleration jerk. It’s important to have this checked out right away because damaged cylinders can eventually ruin the cylinder block. As you can imagine, replacing the block is very expensive.
Dirty Air Filter
You may also have a dirty air filter and this could be the reason why your acceleration is jerky. The air filter should be changed every 12,000 miles to ensure that it doesn’t become clogged with the dirt and debris that it filters out of the air. Not only will you have jerky acceleration, but a dirty air filter can also affect your gas mileage.
Worn Spark Plugs
Finally, your acceleration might jerk because you have worn spark plugs. Depending on the age, make, and model of your car, you need to change the spark plugs every 30,000 miles to 100,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual for the exact duration.
Trojan Auto Care in Troy, OH, can help. Call us today to set up an appointment.
