What Does Automatic Transmission Jerk Feel Like?

[SanCassidy]

Automatic transmission jerk feels like releasing the accelerator pedal briefly and then accelerating again while driving. The reasons for jerking during gear shifts in an automatic transmission car include: internal clutch pressure leakage in the transmission, requiring clutch inspection and repair; obstructed transmission oil passages; wear in the valve body; degraded lubrication due to prolonged use of unchanged transmission fluid; and a dirty transmission filter allowing wear particles to enter the valve body. Below are related details: 1. Automatic transmission gear positions: In the driving process of a car, the P position is the parking gear, the R position is used for reversing, the N position is the neutral gear, and the D position is the forward driving gear. 2. Troubleshooting methods: When jerking occurs during gear shifts, it indicates a fault in the car's transmission. It is necessary to promptly take the car to a 4S shop for transmission diagnostics, read the fault codes after identifying the issue, and then proceed with repairs based on the fault codes.

[JulianaAnn]

When driving an automatic transmission car, if you experience jerking sensations, it feels like sitting on a small boat, where waves push you forward one moment and suddenly pull you back the next. The most typical scenario is at low speeds, when the car suddenly lurches forward like a novice driver learning to accelerate, then hesitantly slows down. This is especially noticeable in traffic jams—you press the accelerator, the car hesitates for half a second, and only then responds. The sensation becomes even more pronounced when going uphill: the engine roars, but the car struggles to deliver power, as if hesitating. Some compare it to a horse suddenly kicking, but I think it’s more like driving on a rubber band—always being jerked around by that invisible tension. To improve this, remember to change the transmission fluid regularly and be gentle with the throttle, as sudden acceleration or deceleration is most likely to cause jerking.

[AlexRose]

I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade, and jerking is all too common. Simply put, it's when the speed suddenly hesitates - either the car feels like it's tripping when accelerating, or it lurches forward when decelerating even after releasing the throttle. Older cars are particularly prone to this, as the transmission gears don't mesh smoothly during shifts, causing the whole car to shudder. Some models are most noticeable at 20-30 km/h speeds because the transmission shifts frequently at this range. Cold starts are also prime time for this, making the car feel sluggish like it's not fully awake. Honestly, it significantly impacts ride comfort - passengers complain the car is 'spasming', and drivers feel particularly embarrassed. I recommend checking transmission fluid condition and carbon buildup. For new cars, it might just need a software update.

[DelJameson]

The jerking sensation refers to the lack of smoothness when driving an automatic transmission car. During acceleration, the car suddenly hesitates, as if someone stepped on the brake during a gear shift, causing the body to lurch forward. It's even stranger when decelerating—even after releasing the throttle, the car might jerk forward nervously, making the driver nod repeatedly. This issue is particularly prone to occur in summer when the air conditioning is on, as the engine is under heavier load and the transmission response becomes erratic. The most awkward situation is when it happens suddenly with friends in the car, making them suspect a brake fluid line malfunction. I recommend maintaining steady throttle control, avoiding aggressive acceleration and sudden braking, and scheduling regular maintenance to check the computer programs, which can help prevent this issue.

[AliyahLee]

When you're driving and suddenly feel like someone kicked your seat from behind, that's the jerkiness coming into play. It mainly occurs during gear shifts in automatic transmission cars, especially during acceleration when the speed is about to increase, and the car suddenly 'thuds' without warning, as if it momentarily loses power and then recovers. It's even more annoying during low-speed follow-up driving—step lightly on the gas and the car doesn't move, step harder and it lurches forward, almost causing me to rear-end the car in front. Once, it was most noticeable when climbing a hill: the transmission clunked loudly, and the car moved two steps forward and one step back. A friend at the repair shop said this is related to carbon buildup, which is more likely to occur with long-term short-distance driving, so occasionally taking the car on the highway is quite necessary.