What Causes a Car to Jerk When Accelerating?

[Barbara]

When a car jerks during acceleration, it indicates an engine malfunction. Below are the common causes of engine issues: 1. Engine Misfire: An engine misfire occurs when one cylinder in a multi-cylinder engine stops working, leading to abnormal shaking and poor acceleration. Professional inspection and repair are required. 2. Engine Overheating: Prolonged or aggressive driving can cause the engine temperature to exceed normal levels, triggering the engine warning light. In this case, simply stop the car and allow it to cool down naturally. 3. Severe Engine Carbon Buildup: Excessive carbon deposits in the engine can result in poor acceleration and increased fuel consumption. Timely cleaning is necessary to resolve this issue.