What Causes Gear Shifting Jerkiness in the Grand Cherokee?
2 Answers
Gear shifting jerkiness in the Grand Cherokee may occur during upshifting, downshifting, or at low speeds. Upshifting Jerkiness: The primary cause is often the transmission's response speed being insufficiently fast, where the upshift speed cannot keep up with the throttle input speed. This results in a jerking sensation during the moment of gear shifting. Downshifting Jerkiness: This is mostly due to the intervention of the energy recovery system. When the driver releases the throttle pedal or presses the brake pedal, the generator immediately starts working, imposing some load on the engine. This affects the engine speed, causing it to become unsynchronized with the clutch plate speed, leading to a jerking sensation. Low-Speed Jerkiness: Many owners experience this issue. At low speeds, the transmission frequently shifts between first and second gears, causing the clutch to repeatedly disengage and engage. The power transmission cannot be smoothly completed in a short time, resulting in common low-speed jerkiness. There may be a jerking sensation during startup and at low speeds, which is generally normal. This usually occurs when the turbocharger engages at low RPMs, affecting the engine speed.
I've been driving a Grand Cherokee for several years and have encountered transmission jerking a few times. Common causes include insufficient or aged transmission fluid. Over time, the fluid thickens, affecting lubrication and causing rough shifting. Clutch wear is also an issue, especially when sudden jerking occurs at high speeds, feeling like a sudden drag. There's also the problem of electronic control unit failures, such as faulty sensors sending inaccurate signals, leading to computer control errors. Additionally, poor driving habits, like suddenly releasing the accelerator after hard acceleration, can cause the transmission to react sluggishly. I recommend first checking the fluid level and quality. Regular maintenance can prevent many issues. If problems persist, it's best to get it repaired, as driving with such issues can be nerve-wracking and affect road safety, especially during long trips where the risks are greater.
