Car jerks can be annoying and infuriating to find your car repeatedly jerking while accelerating, but it can also be worrying.
In many cases, car jerks is an indication of a malfunction in one of your vehicle’s systems, and it needs to be fixed as soon as possible so you can ride safely again.
In this article, we cover the reasons why my car jerks when I accelerate and briefly suggest how to deal with these problems.
Topic Summary
Why My Car Jerks When I Acceleration
Jerking of a car during acceleration is a troublesome chronic problem for car owners. Immediate detection and resolution of these issues are vital to ensure reliability and ease of driving.
Causes of jerking are mainly fuel system errors, electromagnetic failure of the ignition system, air intake flow system errors, transmission errors, and issues in the exhaust system. They are described below.
1. Fuel System Problems
Fuel System Malfunction One of the most common problems leading to car jerk is usually an issue with the fuel system. Could be:
- Clogged Fuel Injectors: With time, the injectors become full of debris and deposits, which in turn disturbs the flow of fuel consistently. The engine is not satisfactorily supplied with fuel, and this causes the jerks.
- Bad Fuel Pump: If you have a faulty fuel pump, you could notice its failure through low fuel pressure, which results in inconsistent fuel delivery to the engine.
- Dirty Fuel Filter: A dirty fuel filter can slow the flow of fuel, causing the engine to stutter and jerk while accelerating.
2. Ignition System Problems
The ignition system is the side of the engine that sparks to combust the fuel air mixture. Problems here can cause misfires:
- Worn Spark Plugs: Spark plugs can be fouled either by being too hot or too cold. With bad spark plugs, you might have weak, intermittent sparks, causing the engine to misfire.
- Failing Ignition Coils: Spark plugs require voltage to ignite engines, and ignition coils are for that. If a coil fails, it might not cause a full engine stall, but a jerk is certainly in the forecast.
3. Issues with Air Intake
The engine requires the right amount of air for combustion. Problems with an air intake system can upset the balance:
- Dirty Air Filter: A dirty air filter will restrict the amount of air that is able to enter the engine and may result in a lean air fuel mixture, which will cause the car to jerk.
- Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Malfunction: This sensor measures the volume of air entering the engine. If the MAF malfunctions, the engine may receive incorrect air fuel ratios, which can cause jerking.
4. Transmission Issues
Problems with your transmission could be the reason for your car jerking when you’re speeding up:
- Low Transmission Fluid: Inadequate fluid in the transmission impairs lubrication and causes jerky shifting.
- Worn Transmission Components: Wearing components (e.g., gears and clutches) can make the acceleration feel jerky.
5. Exhaust System Problems
Exhaust system problems, such as a restricted catalytic converter, can cause low exhaust flow and cause an engine to labor, causing it to jerk.
Solutions For Car Jerks When I Acceleration
Regular Maintenance: Simple preventive maintenance, such as replacing spark plugs, fuel filters, or air filters, can circumvent most issues that are at the root of jerky driving.
Check to ensure they’re not dirty or clogged and replace as needed according to manufacturer recommendations.
Fuel System Cleaning: Injectors can become clogged with debris from your fuel. Sometimes, it is best to use a fuel system cleaner to keep your engine running right.
Mechanic Inspection: It’s also useful to get a professional diagnosis for your problem, which a mechanic can do by using professional tools.
For example, say your car continues to jerk after you take it in for a regular oil change and check the brakes. A mechanic can solve the problem by inspecting the fuel, ignition, air intake, transmission, or exhaust systems.
Addressing Specific Component Failures: after an individual cause is pinpointed, such as a bad fuel pump or MAF sensor, replace the bad component expeditiously to get the acceleration back on track.
Things You Should Do If Your Car Jerks During Acceleration
Before you get to the garage, you’ll probably want to do something else: stop jerking every time you step on the gas. Here’s how to deal with it.
When experiencing jumping around or jerking, you should work on the car and try to determine the cause. Get the working environment ready so that you have the necessary tools and space.
Don’t Race
Keep your car off its limits, no racing or extreme driving. High speeds and quick acceleration can compound existing problems and push your engine and transmission over their chosen limits.
Drive more sensibly at moderate speeds. This will reduce further damage and ensure the myriad systems in your vehicle operate normally.
Don’t Change Cylinder Heads
Replacing cylinder heads or doing other major reworking because of jerking without finding the true cause will only lead to more serious problems.
Seeking professional advice before undertaking major work or overhauls is always advisable.
Don’t Rev-Up the Engine
Don’t rev the engine, as higher RPMs will only make the problem worse and may even damage your engine.
Revving the engine too much will strain it, too, and could result in overheating and even more wear and tear. Keep those RPMs in the normal range. Revving!
Regular Maintenance
Furthermore, the best way to prevent jerking and resolve it if it exists is to take the vehicle in for regular maintenance.
Make sure the oil in your engine is changed on a regular basis, and replace air and fuel filters. Additionally, spark plugs should be periodically checked and cleaned.
All of these simple maintenance steps will improve your vehicle’s performance and sound and help avoid jerking.
Professional Diagnostics
But suppose your jerking is still continuing. Or is it worse than before? At this point, taking your car in for a professional diagnosis is not an option but imperative.
What you need is a skilled mechanic to find the exact source of trouble and prescribe the necessary repairs, ensuring that the problem is fixed properly once and for all. Imagine, for example, that your mechanic discovers a bent valve in your engine.
If you stick to these ways to repair drive train jerks, you’ll be set for a lifetime.
FAQs On Why My Car Jerks When I Accelerate
Why Does My Car Jerk When I Accelerate?
When you step on the gas pedal, your car might jerk. An issue in the fuel system (clogged fuel injectors, faulty fuel pump, etc.), the ignition system (worn or faulty spark plugs, faulty ignition coils, etc.), the air intake system (dirty air filter, faulty mass airflow sensor, etc.), the transmission (low transmission fluid level, worn transmission parts, etc.), or the exhaust system (clogged catalytic converter) can cause this jerking motion.
Can Bad Spark Plugs Cause My Car To Jerk?
Yeah, that’s a good guess. I suppose bad spark plugs can make a car jerk. Busted or worn-out spark plugs won’t spark enough, misfiring the engine. The engine will jerk, not running smoothly because it’s not even running.
How Often Should I Replace My Fuel Filter To Prevent Jerking?
Moreover, the interval at which these parts need to be replaced also depends on your vehicle’s make and model and your driving condition. Simply put, you may have to replace your vehicle’s fuel filter every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Still, always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual and check with your vehicle’s manufacturer for the correct recommendation.
Can A Clogged Air Filter Cause Car To Jerk?
Indeed, an excessively dirty air filter can result in your vehicle jerking. A clogged air filter limits the amount of air that can enter your engine, resulting in an improper air fuel mixture that could lead to your car running lean or “dirty” during acceleration.
Should I Seek Professional Help If My Car Jerks When Accelerating?
For example, if your car jerks every time you accelerate, you should definitely see a specialist. Some common problems can be solved with basic maintenance, but jerking that doesn’t get better with maintenance may be indicative of more sophisticated problems that require a diagnostic apparatus and expertise to fix. A good mechanic will be able to assess what the problem is and how best to fix it and, hopefully, get your car on the road again.
Conclusion
Why My Car Jerks When I Accelerate. Problem in the fuel and ignition system or issues related to the air intake or transmission can cause the car to jerk at acceleration.
Keep your car well-maintained and careful about repairs to keep it in good shape and condition to drive smoothly and comfortably.
If the car jerking doesn’t go away with your attention, you might have to consult with a mechanic to diagnose and eliminate the issue.