What causes jerking sensation when driving an automatic transmission car at low speeds?
2 Answers
There are three possible reasons for the jerking sensation during low-speed driving in an automatic transmission vehicle: 1. Excessive carbon buildup in the throttle body, fuel injectors, and intake manifold: Many malfunctions are caused by carbon deposits, and some vehicles may experience jerking due to this issue. Regular carbon cleaning is recommended. 2. Fuel issues: Poor fuel quality leading to incomplete combustion. 3. Faulty spark plugs or ignition coils: These components may cause cylinder misfires. In such cases, it's necessary to visit a repair shop for inspection and timely maintenance to prevent potential safety hazards.
My old car has been running for ten years, so I'm all too familiar with low-speed jerking. The most common cause is when the transmission fluid needs changing—dirty fluid leads to insufficient lubrication, causing jerky movements. During the last maintenance, we found carbon buildup in the shift solenoid valve, and after a quick cleaning for just a few dozen bucks, it smoothed out immediately. If a new car also jerks, check if the engine mounts have aged—cracked rubber can't absorb vibrations. Once, I encountered a glitch in the transmission control unit's programming, and a simple reprogramming fixed it. Another time, after refueling, the jerking started, only to realize it was due to poor fuel quality causing incomplete combustion. These are all worth checking. Pay special attention to whether the tachometer jumps erratically during jerking—that usually signals a transmission issue.
