You may be asking yourself why does my car stutter when I drive, well today we will tell you what’s the cause of this problem and possible remedies.
Even if the check engine light is not yet illuminated, your car may jerk when accelerating or you may experience engine stalling.
There could be several causes, some of which are simple to address.
Others might want assistance from a qualified auto technician to fix their jerky vehicle.
We briefly discuss some of the main causes of jerky acceleration in cars, but if you still need assistance, feel free to contact us or stop by our auto body shop in Ottawa!
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You Drive a Stick Shift Car
This is just a side effect of using a stick shift, not an issue. As you change into each gear if you’re still learning, you can experience some jerking.
However, manual transmissions frequently experience it, so as you become accustomed to the controls, your ride will be more comfortable.
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Worn Out Spark Plugs
The function of the spark plugs is to ignite the mixture of fuel and air kept inside the engine, causing combustion that drives the pistons in your car.
Therefore, there’s a significant probability that your spark plugs (or the cables that connect to them) are the cause of your car’s stuttering.
These auto components frequently wear out, and a malfunctioning spark plug will make your engine misfire, jerk when you speed, and be more noisier than typical.
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Dirty Fuel Injectors
The main function of fuel injectors is to continuously supply gas to the engine’s cylinders.
Your engine won’t receive enough gasoline and won’t operate properly if your injectors become too dirty, frequently misfiring while you accelerate.
The good news is that cleaning your fuel injector only takes a few hours, and most garages can take care of it for you.
You can also clean them yourself by putting cleaning fluid in an empty fuel tank or using other techniques that call just a few tools and some auto expertise!
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Dirty Air Filter
The ideal balance of the air-fuel mixture is the dream team that keeps your car running smoothly.
Unfortunately, some dirt will start to sneak into the engine and start to influence how smoothly it runs when your car’s air filter becomes overly clogged with dust particles.
Your filter is simple to check, and if it has to be replaced, the cost of the repair is extremely little.
Or you might use a reusable filter that simply has to be cleaned.
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Moisture on the Distributor Cap
The distributor cap on your car is a crucial component of the ignition system.
The ignition coil cannot transfer electricity when moisture accumulates, which causes the automobile to jerk.
In the chilly, snowy environment of Ottawa, this frequently occurs! Fortunately, this doesn’t require replacement. Simply let the moisture evaporate.
READ ALSO: Why Does My Car Wobble When I Drive Slow
To avoid this issue, you can either store your automobile in an indoor garage or install a thermal cover.
Remember that the majority of contemporary automobiles use a different system that lacks one.
They use a device known as a coil-on plug.
If this is the case, the reason can no longer be attributed to it.
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Blocked Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is a crucial component of your exhaust system since it controls how much pollution your car emits.
If your exhaust is jerking and emitting colored smoke, you may have a clogged catalytic converter.
It may also smell like rotten eggs. Gas might build up and block, jerking or stalling as a result.
Depending on mileage and engine settings, catalytic converters should last for around 10 years.
A catalytic converter that is blocked is expensive to repair, but if it starts to fail too soon, it could be a sign of something more dangerous.
A skilled mechanic will be able to repair and assist you in identifying the issue.
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Bad Fuel Pump
You’ve undoubtedly figured out by now that fuel supply issues were always to blame for your car jerking when you accelerated.
The engine won’t receive the appropriate amount of fuel because the fuel pump won’t be able to keep up with what your engine needs or might not start at all.
The price to remedy this issue can vary depending on the make and model of your automobile, so it’s crucial to get an estimate from a reliable repair shop for the parts and labor.
In the same line, a clogged fuel filter may be the cause of the issue.
An inexpensive solution that would assist the engine receive the proper amount of gasoline is a fuel filter.
These cables wear out over time, slackening and can require replacing.
However, it isn’t the most expensive fix and is very easy to identify.
If you have a more recent vehicle model, this is likely not the issue as electronic throttle controls have replaced accelerator cables in new models.
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Damaged Cylinders
Lastly, you may have damaged cylinders in your engine.
These cylinders are where combustion happens in your car’s engine, and if they aren’t working correctly, it can lead to engine misfires.
As any engine work can be, this issue may be expensive to fix but definitely shouldn’t be ignored.
The longer you drive your car with damaged cylinders, the more extensive the damage to your engine will be.
When your car jerks when accelerating, it can be very disconcerting and definitely shouldn’t be ignored.
Something as easy as dirty air filters or faulty spark plugs are quick and inexpensive to fix, but if ignored, can lead to much more costly repairs.
Sure, a manual transmission may have your car jerk from time to time, but getting your ignition system checked can help you avoid the kind of auto repairs that cause significant stress.
Conclusion
so next time when you have a ‘why does my car stutter when I drive, ‘ problem you know what to do.