What Makes Your Car Shudder When You Press on the Accelerator?
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Other than a jolt when you start the engine, your car should not have any kind of shudder or jerk when you accelerate or decelerate. But more often than not, you might feel a significant tremor whenever you do. It can be a sign of impending trouble. Most of the time, it’s an issue with at least one of the important components of your vehicle that is making it stutter as it accelerates.
This shuddering can happen due to a plethora of causes ranging from an incorrect wheel alignment to a damaged fuel line. Diagnosing these issues early will save you a lot of time and money on expensive repairs.
Blockage in air intake – One of the most common reasons for stuttering acceleration is a blocked air intake. Every engine pumps a mixture of fuel and air inside its piston compartment and lights it using a spark plug for a controlled explosion. If this chain is disrupted for any reason, it will not get enough power and shudder as it accelerates.
Take a look at the air filter and check if it’s too dirty and clogged up. If it is, consider changing it for a new unit. You can also check the connectors for added safety. However, if you notice the ‘Check Engine’ light is on, consider taking it to a professional automobile technician.
An issue with the fuel system – Your car’s fuel system consists of multiple components, and an issue can happen with any one of them. For example, if the fuel filter is clogged, it will not send enough petrol to the engine, causing it to lose power. You should change it at least once every year or 10,000 miles (whichever comes first) to keep your car’s performing at its best.
A broken or leaking fuel line can also create the same issue. It is more likely to happen if you drive an old car, as the rubber can harden and crack due to constant high pressure. Change it with new, off-the-shelf fuel lines; that should mitigate the issue.
Fuel injectors are also prone to clogging if contaminated petrol passes through the filters. You can either replace all injectors or clean them before using them again. Clean the insides with a wire teeth brush and check the spray nozzle for any dirt before reattaching it.
Worth mentioning at this juncture, always refer to professional assistance before changing your diesel particulate filter or DPF. Illegal replacements or alterations to the DPF can result in your car failing its MOT Pickering.
Misaligned wheels – Misaligned wheels may be another reason for unusual vibrations during acceleration. Unfortunately, you cannot realign it yourself; you have to take it to a car service garage like Add Tyres and Exhausts for a wheel alignment Pickering. They offer repair packages including wheel alignment and suspension repair at affordable rates.
Moisture accumulation – Another reason for unusual engine stuttering and misfire is moisture accumulation in the distributor cap. During damp weather conditions, the engine hub may accumulate moisture, which throws off the balance of the unit. This causes fuel accumulation and shuddering during acceleration.
You can solve this issue by allowing your car’s engine to run for a few minutes before starting your journey. This issue is especially apparent during winter and rainy seasons.
Keep your car clean, and run it through at least one complete inspection every year to make sure all the components are in proper condition. This will eliminate any chance of an unusual shudder you may feel while driving your vehicle.
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