Car jerks when accelerating at low speeds are a common problem in cars and can be caused by many different vehicle issues. Learning how to identify what is causing the jerk will mean a smoother and safer ride for you. 

What does it mean when your car jerks while driving

If you notice that your vehicle begins to jerk or stumble upon acceleration, this probably means something is interfering with the proper transmission of power. The most common cause is if you're driving a manual transmission and haven't gained the feeling of shifting.

Here, we at Autobest will list the most common causes of acceleration jerks as well as how to fix the issue.

1. Blockages in dirty fuel injectors

Your fuel system is made up of several components, which are connected by hoses to the engine. This hose is designed to pump fuel from the gas tank into your car’s fuel lines and then into the injectors. If the fuel lines are dirty or clogged, it can absorb unwanted moisture and prevent proper fuel flow to your injectors. If this happens, these injectors will not be able to deliver an adequate amount of fuel on time. So, the injector cleaner should be checked for effectiveness on fuel quality, engine load, and engine pressure. Cleaning them with a fuel injector cleaning spray or cleaner can help.

2. Unclean Air Filters

To keep your car running at its best, it’s important to keep the air filter in top condition. Filters trap dirt and dust particles, preventing them from entering the engine and reducing performance. So, checking the condition of your current air filter becomes important. If it seems to be dirty, make sure to replace it immediately. One can also buy a reusable air filter that eases future cleaning. These filters can enhance the working of the engine, which can eventually reduce acceleration jerks.

3. Broken Cylinders

Engine cylinders are a critical part of your car's engine that helps to control the speed of the piston and compression. If an engine cylinder fails and is no longer able to function, it is important to have them repaired or replaced. Engine cylinders are made of plastic and they mustn't be damaged. Otherwise, this will cause your engine to misfire, which is a bad thing to do in cars because it can leave you stranded or possibly at risk of breaking down. In such cases, you can consult a mechanic who will be able to help you determine if your engine cylinders are damaged so that they can be repaired or replaced.

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4. Acceleration cables with damage

Pressing down on the accelerator pedal causes a cable to pull open the throttle plate, which allows your car to accelerate. If a cable breaks for any reason, it can cause serious damage. If you find that your acceleration cable is damaged, look inside your car's steering wheel assembly to make sure there is no obvious damage to it. This is because a worn or cracked cable might not function properly and may affect the amount of speed your vehicle is capable of. It's easy to get this part replaced - just contact an authorized parts dealer and they will walk you through the replacement process.

5. Faulty carburettors

The carburetor is the part of your engine that controls how much fuel and air go into the motor. If a carburetor is damaged, it can cause problems with your car's performance in various ways. For instance, if it gets too dirty or clogged, it will negatively impact performance by reducing how efficiently your engine burns fuel. A damaged carburetor may not mix fuel/air properly and can leave your car jerking, missing fire, or running rough even if the spark is present. This can lead to poor gas mileage, decreased performance and general bad tuning.

6. Gas Line Damage

The fuel line is one of the most important parts for your engine to work properly. It brings the necessary fuel in and directs it to where it is needed. If there is anything wrong with this small part, such as a faulty connection or leak, your car’s horsepower will decrease and it could even cause your engine to blow up. So make sure you take care of this factor.

7. Catalytic Converter Blockages

A catalytic converter is a device that cleans the exhaust from inside a car’s engine. It typically works with the fuel and air mixture to regulate the combustion process to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and increase horsepower. A car catalytic converter can become clogged by different things over time. If you notice that your car has been jerking when using the accelerator after owning it for some time and finding no visible damage, you need to call your mechanic who will be able to assess it and get it working again properly.

8. Worn Out Spark Plugs

If your vehicle spark plugs are not in their best condition, you might face issues such as car jerking during acceleration. Worn-out spark plugs face issues in igniting the fuel for ample power supply to the vehicle. The only way to get rid of such an issue is to replace the spark plugs and it’s pretty easy to do so. 

9. Defective Carburetors

Among so many possible reasons behind car jerks while accelerating, low-performing or faulty carburetors can be one of the most known ones. These vehicle parts control how much air and fuel mix before the engine starts working using them. When the carburetors stop performing at their best, apart from the car jerks when accelerating to overall dwindling vehicle performance, the concerns are too many. 

10. Moisture on the Distributor Cap

While car owners or drivers may not face this concern during the warmer months, it’s a serious vehicular problem during the winter months or the time during snowfall. The accumulated moisture on the distributor cap stops the vehicle from performing its best and also makes the car jerk while accelerating. The only solution is to park the vehicle in a warm spot when there’s no risk of moisture accumulation. 

How to Prevent Car Jerks During Acceleration?

As we’ve already mentioned the reasons behind car jerks when accelerating at low speeds, that simply taking care of the vehicle problems that cause the jerking can help you stop it. So if you want a few tips and tricks on the same, you can simply scroll down a bit:

• Take no time to repair faulty spark plugs. Follow a regular vehicle maintenance routine to keep them checked and in their best condition. Neglecting spark plugs leads to accumulation of oil and carbon on them that prevent them from consistent spark production. So it’s best to change the spark plugs once you cover 30,000 miles. Repeat the same procedure every 30,000 miles.

• Take great care of the vehicle air filters to keep them functional and protect them from the accumulation of dirt and debris. Once they lose their performing ability or it’s lower than the standard, your vehicle might struggle to accelerate and jerk during it.

• Fuel pump malfunction is another vehicular issue that can lead to compromised performance and car jerking. As the fuel pump provides the engine with a steady fuel flow, keeping it at its peak performance is important. Any irregularity in the fuel flow can hinder the performance of the vehicle and make it jerk while accelerating. So regular maintenance or inspection of vehicle components is important. 

Apart from these, there are several other vehicle problems one can face that can worsen the car jerking issue. Some of the most common ones that one must take into account are air flow sensor failure, throttle position sensor issue, worn-out clutch, clogged fuel injectors, engine control unit (ECU) problems, EGR valve malfunction, exhaust system problems, and many more. All sorts of vehicle problems can impact the car’s performance and lead to car jerking while accelerating. The only way to get rid of this is on-time vehicle checkups. Following a routine vehicle examination procedure helps you identify the problems beforehand and fix them before they take a serious toll on your vehicle. 

Conclusion

So, with this, we come to the end of the article and we hope that we have cleared all your queries such as, “Why does my car jerk when I accelerate” or “What does it mean when your car jerks”. So, keep a regular check on your car's functioning to maintain its best efficiency. And if you face a serious car jerking issue, you can purchase new or pre-owned, highly-maintained vehicles from AutoBest. 

FAQs on Car Jerks

1.  What causes jerking when accelerating?

There are multiple reasons that can cause jerking when accelerating:

• Blockages in dirty fuel injectors

• Unclean Air Filters

• Broken Cylinders

• Acceleration cables with damage

• faulty carburetors

• Gas Line Damage

• Catalytic Converter Blockages 

One needs to have a mindful check on these causes to avoid the jerks. 

2. What happens when your car jerks while driving?

A jerking car or stuttering engine may be an indication that something is interfering with the proper distribution of power. There are a number of possible problems and causes, including tires with excessive tire wear, a warped wheel due to a nicked rim or scuffed hubcap, worn-out brake pads or brakes, worn transmission seals and bearings, dirty fuel injectors, stuck valves and whatnot.

 3.  Can transmission cause cars to jerk?

Yes, car jerking is caused by the transmission control module, or TCM. This device monitors your acceleration and detects a need to shift gears at a certain point in your driving. If you accelerate quickly or unexpectedly suddenly, this can cause an interruption which will result in delays with shifting, sometimes causing jerky movements in your vehicle.

4. What should I do if my car starts jerking while accelerating?

Take your car to a car maintenance centre or garage for a check-up and identify the reason behind jerking while accelerating. Your next course of action depends on the findings of the experts. 

5: Can I fix a jerky acceleration myself?

If your car has a manual transmission system, facing car jerking is a common concern for you. For such reasons behind the car jerking while accelerating, press the clutch pedal so down that it reaches the floor, take the vehicle onto the first gear, release the clutch pedal, and focus on the jerky motion of your vehicle. However, there might be various other reasons behind car jerks that won’t be fixed without specialists’ intervention.