If you notice that your car jerks when accelerating at low speeds, this is an issue that you shouldn't ignore. A jerking car is often a sign that your car will develop other problems if you don't address this issue through preventative maintenance care or a timely auto repair service.
These issues are especially dangerous as they result in reduced stopping power, which can lead to accidents. While you can still drive a jerking car if the occurrences are minor or few and far between, more frequent and stronger jerking when driving at constant speed could mean there are serious issues with your car.
Wear and Tear: Frequent jerking can lead to accelerated wear on the clutch, transmission, and drivetrain components. This can result in costly repairs over time.
Problems in the ignition system, such as worn-out spark plugs, faulty ignition coils, or weak wiring, can also cause misfiring and jerking, especially under load. Inspecting and replacing spark plugs or ignition coils is a good step to ensure the ignition system is functioning correctly.
A clogged air filter can restrict airflow, causing the engine to run rich (too much fuel) and resulting in jerky acceleration. This one is easy to check and doesn't really need you to go to a mechanic. Just open up the air filter in the engine bay and change it if it looks dirty. Should take you 5 minutes.
A Transmission Fault
Shifting issues can sometimes cause your vehicle to feel like it is jerking when accelerating. If you have internal transmission damage, it can cause the gears to slip [and] engage over and over again, which feels like jerking when accelerating.
Repair Costs for a Car That Jerks When Accelerating
Fuel Injector Cleaning: $75 - $300. Air Intake System Replacement: $200 - $700. Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement: $350 - $600. Accelerator Cable Replacement: $175 - $575.
Whether its the fuel system, the air intake, the exhaust system or the hydraulic system, blockages can cause erratic performance and juddering when driving. Fuel systems in particular can become blocked due to contaminated or aging fuel, low quality fuel additives and corrosion.
It is possible for a car to jerk without a check engine light ever coming on. Issues like worn out spark plugs may not trigger the light, yet still requires attention. If your car is shaking while accelerating, then it's time for an inspection, regardless of the dashboard indicators.
Overheating engine
This situation can cause the vehicle to lose power and jerk while accelerating. However, it is important to stop the vehicle as safely and as soon as possible. Engine overheating can be caused by low coolant levels, a failing thermostat, or a broken water pump – amongst several other causes.
To fix this, you should clean the injectors on a regular basis. Using a fuel injector cleaning solution might eliminate the issue of the car jerking. If the clog is too severe, the injectors may need to be taken out and cleaned or replaced by a mechanic.
Vibration is usually caused by an out of balance or defective tire, a bent wheel or a worn driveline U-joint. You may find that the car shakes the car in an up and down motion. You may feel vibration through the seat, the steering wheel or even in the brake pedal.
Ideally, you should replace them immediately. However, you can get by for a short while, as long as they aren't misfiring. Poor spark keeps fuel from being burned inside the combustion chamber. This reduces power and fuel economy, and it makes it harder for the engine to idle.
There are a range of reasons why your car is juddering at speed. Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.
If your engine light is flashing and the car is juddering, it's best to get your car checked by a trained mechanic. Some issues with the car juddering can perplex even the most experienced mechanic. However, the cause is probably down to a faulty component - the trick is finding out which one!
If you're driving at freeway speeds and notice your engine sputter or jerk, you may have a failing fuel pump. This problem is caused when the fuel pump can't deliver a smooth flow of fuel to the engine; periodically, your engine receives only air when it was expecting to receive fuel.
Your catalytic converter might be suffering from a blockage. The air-fuel mixture passing through your catalytic converter can become too rich and this can lead to a blockage. This often leads to a car jerking when the motorist presses the gas. You may be able to clear it out with a good catalytic converter cleaner.
What does a transmission repair cost? Average cost is between $165 and $290, but again, the cost depends on your make and model.
If the jerking occurs during gear changes or acceleration, it's likely a transmission issue, such as slipping gears or low fluid levels. Conversely, if the jerking happens at constant speed or when idling, it may indicate engine problems, such as misfiring, fuel delivery issues, or ignition system failures.
Do not take chances when your car begins to shudder: take it in for repair and get to the root cause of what is causing your car trouble so you can resume normal driving as quickly as possible. If you've been driving and felt your car shudder as you accelerate, it may be a sign of a misfire or transmission slipping.
To judder is to shake rapidly, almost vibrating.
Comfort: finally, misaligned tires are less able to absorb shock and can make your car's movements jerky or cause vibration. For a smoother, cushier ride, alignment is a must.
In cases where automatic transmission jerks are caused by deterioration of the transmission oil from usage or water contamination until the oil properties are no longer suitable for use and effect to poor performance of the transmission system., Accordingly, changing the transmission fluid in the whole system by ...
The Spark Plugs Could be Worn Out
Spark plugs are one of the least expensive and easiest vehicle repairs to make. Worn or damaged spark plugs are also one of the most common issues with your vehicle jerking while you're accelerating.