What Causes Jerking When Releasing the Accelerator?

[JanelleAnn]

Reasons for jerking when releasing the accelerator: 1. Poor spark plug or ignition coil performance, leading to intermittent engine malfunction; 2. Carbon buildup or minor clogging in the fuel injectors, or poor atomization, causing irregular fuel injection; 3. Damaged transmission valve body or contaminated transmission fluid with internal impurities, where accumulated dirt in the valve body blocks the pipelines, preventing effective oil pressure regulation; 4. Worn-out engine or transmission mounts failing to provide cushioning when releasing the accelerator; 5. Excessive carbon buildup from prolonged lack of throttle body cleaning, altering the throttle opening angle.

[JudahAnn]

My old car often has a jerking sensation when I let off the gas after driving for a long time, almost like the car is braking, which is quite uncomfortable. After checking, it might be that the engine's throttle body is too dirty, with carbon buildup affecting air intake and throttle response; if it's a manual transmission, severe clutch wear can also cause slipping when released, leading to poor power delivery. For automatic transmissions, issues with the transmission's solenoid valves or fluid can easily cause jerking, especially in older cars. Don’t underestimate this—problems with the fuel pump or spark plugs, leading to unstable fuel supply, can also cause shaking, which feels more noticeable at high speeds. I recommend taking it to a professional repair shop for a thorough inspection, cleaning the throttle body, or testing the clutch. Normally, avoid slamming or suddenly releasing the gas pedal—take it easy. Keeping the car well-maintained saves both hassle and fuel.

[VonSara]

As a daily commuter who drives every day, my car has been in use for over three years, and recently I've noticed a slight jerk when releasing the accelerator, which affects the driving experience. A friend mentioned that common causes could be clogged fuel injectors in the engine, leading to insufficient fuel supply; for automatic transmissions, issues like a faulty TCM computer module or excessive drivetrain backlash can cause lag; for manual transmissions, it might be due to wear in the drive shaft or differential. These problems are not just annoying but can also accelerate part wear and increase fuel consumption. I've tried doing some simple checks myself, like listening for unusual engine noises during startup—if the sound is uneven, it's something to take seriously. Regular maintenance, such as replacing spark plugs or cleaning the fuel system, can make driving much smoother. It's best not to delay until major repairs are needed and regret it later.

[MacMia]

As an automotive enthusiast who has researched similar issues, I can tell you that throttle-off jerking usually stems from powertrain imbalances. For instance, ECU programming errors or sensor signal drift can cause unstable engine response; a clogged fuel filter interrupts fuel supply, creating momentary disharmony; low or aged automatic transmission fluid leads to hydraulic instability and jerking; worn clutch discs in manual transmissions make friction deficiency more noticeable when releasing the pedal. Through my hands-on experience disassembling vehicles, I've found these minor issues can accumulate into major problems - early diagnosis is highly recommended.