What Causes Severe Jerking in a Car?
3 Answers
Severe jerking in a car may be caused by the following issues: 1. Power supply system: Spark plugs or ignition coils. If the high-voltage spark is weak, causing intermittent poor engine performance, it can result in jerking. 2. Fuel system: Fuel injectors. If the fuel injectors have carbon buildup, minor blockages, or poor atomization, it can easily lead to abnormal fuel injection and cause jerking. 3. Transmission: Impacts, jerking, or gear hunting are usually caused by a damaged valve body or dirty transmission fluid with internal impurities. Especially when dirt and impurities accumulate inside the valve body, blocking the pipelines, it can prevent effective regulation of oil pressure, leading to jerking, impacts, or slippage. Whether it's an automatic or manual transmission, if the engine mounts or transmission mounts are damaged, they won't provide cushioning when releasing the throttle, causing jerking. 4. Throttle: If the throttle is not cleaned for a long time, excessive carbon buildup can alter the throttle opening angle, resulting in jerking when releasing the throttle.
As a new car owner, I recently encountered this issue where the car jerks during acceleration, especially at low speeds when turning or climbing hills. At first, I thought it was normal, but a friend suggested it might be a problem with the ignition system, such as worn-out spark plugs or carbon buildup. After taking it to the repair shop, they found the transmission fluid was dirty. After cleaning and replacing it with new fluid, the issue improved significantly. The mechanic recommended changing the transmission fluid every 50,000 kilometers and avoiding frequent hard acceleration to reduce jerking. Excessive carbon buildup in the throttle body also restricts engine airflow, requiring regular cleaning. In short, don’t ignore severe jerking—getting it checked at a professional shop doesn’t cost much, and driving with peace of mind is what matters most.
The so-called jerking sensation simply means the car doesn't run smoothly, lurching forward intermittently. Among common causes, unstable oil pressure in automatic transmissions or sensor failures account for most cases, causing erratic shifting; manual transmission cars may shake due to clutch wear. In the ignition system, dirty spark plugs lead to weak sparks, making the engine run unevenly. Clogged fuel injectors in the fuel system disrupt fuel delivery, causing uneven spray and resulting in jerking. Excessive carbon buildup inside the engine leads to incomplete combustion. Start diagnosis with simple checks like inspecting spark plugs and fuel pumps; if that doesn't help, use diagnostic tools to read trouble codes. Develop good driving habits—avoid aggressive acceleration and braking, and perform regular maintenance with quality fuel to prevent such issues.
