What is the problem when there is a jerking sensation when stepping on the accelerator?

[JamesAnn]

The reason for the jerking sensation when stepping on the accelerator is due to a clogged fuel system. Cleaning the fuel system, fuel injectors, fuel lines, and fuel pipes is necessary. For automatic transmission vehicles, jerking during startup is a normal occurrence. If you want to accelerate quickly while driving, you need to press the accelerator deeply. At this time, the automatic transmission will automatically downshift to increase the engine speed. When the speed reaches a certain level, it will upshift. After upshifting, because the speed will drop significantly, a relatively obvious jerking sensation will occur. Automatic start-stop systems combined with dual-clutch transmissions inherently have this issue. If the ignition is abnormal, replace the spark plugs or ignition coils. When an automatic transmission experiences jerking, in many cases, it is not due to internal valve body damage but rather stubborn dirt and impurities inside, especially when dirt and impurities accumulate inside the valve body, causing blockages. This prevents effective regulation of oil pressure, leading to jerking, impact, and slippage issues. Methods to eliminate jerking when stepping on the accelerator: Check the throttle valve, check the fuel injectors, check the air intake, check the spark plugs, check the ignition coils, etc.

[DelEverly]

Last time I drove my car, I also experienced throttle hesitation issues, and it felt jerky while driving. First, I checked the spark plugs and found severe carbon buildup. After replacing them, it improved a lot. Later, I discovered the fuel injectors were also clogged, and cleaning them made it much smoother. Not changing the transmission fluid for too long can also cause this, especially feeling a tug during sudden acceleration. Insufficient fuel supply pressure from the fuel pump is another common cause, which can be tested with a pressure gauge. If it's a carbon buildup issue, a dirty throttle body has the biggest impact, and cleaning it once can significantly improve performance. A car is like a person—you shouldn’t delay maintenance. I check these wear-prone parts every month. By the way, a dirty mass airflow sensor causing an error can also produce similar symptoms, and cleaning it should help.

[RemingtonLee]

When my old car had acceleration stuttering issues, I did thorough research. Mainly, aging ignition coils can cause cylinder misfires, making acceleration feel like coughing. If the transmission valve body gets stuck, you'll notice a clear dragging sensation during gear shifts. Fuel system problems are critical too – a clogged fuel filter starving the engine is the worst. I once cleaned the catalytic converter which was half-blocked, causing exhaust flow issues and engine shaking. I recommend using an OBD scanner to read trouble codes first – it saves lots of hassle. Oversized spark plug gaps are the most overlooked issue – switching to iridium plugs solved my stuttering. Poor fuel quality also matters – try different gas stations. Regular fuel system cleaning is vital – I personally use fuel additives in the tank.

[VonHector]

I have plenty of experience with throttle hesitation. First check the ignition system - carbon buildup on spark plugs or cracked ignition coils can cause this. Pay attention to the fuel system, clogged fuel injectors are particularly common. Transmission issues are the trickiest - valve body blockage or abnormal oil pressure can both cause hesitation. Last time I found it was a vacuum hose leak causing unstable engine RPM. Carbon buildup shouldn't be ignored, especially on direct injection vehicles where the throttle body gets dirty easily. I make it a habit to clean the fuel system every 20,000 km. Also watch for clogged fuel pump filters - the symptoms are very similar to fuel starvation. A dirty mass airflow sensor can send incorrect data, leading to delayed throttle response. Actually the simplest thing is to try a tank of 95 octane fuel first.