Why Does the Car Jerk When Releasing the Accelerator?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons why a car may jerk when releasing the accelerator: 1. Poor coordination between throttle and clutch: If the throttle and clutch are not well-coordinated during gear shifting, the vehicle may experience noticeable sudden deceleration followed by sudden acceleration, which is the most obvious form of "jerking." However, in automatic transmissions, since the gear shifting is controlled by the computer, it is theoretically smarter. But due to the structure of the transmission, the degree of jerking in automatic transmission models may vary. 2. Fuel octane rating issue: You can perform some simple checks yourself, such as whether the wrong fuel was added. This is also possible because using lower-octane gasoline may result in weak acceleration, leading to reduced engine power and increased fuel consumption.
I've driven quite a few cars, and jerking when lifting off the throttle is actually quite common. It's usually caused by issues in the ignition system, such as worn spark plugs or faulty ignition coils. Abnormal combustion can easily lead to shaking. The fuel system can also be problematic—clogged fuel injectors or unstable fuel pump pressure may cause uneven fuel supply. Additionally, faulty sensors like the mass airflow sensor or throttle position sensor can mislead the ECU about the air-fuel ratio, resulting in jerking as the engine RPM drops when lifting off the throttle. Vacuum leaks can also cause trouble by creating intake pressure imbalances. Last time I encountered this issue, replacing the spark plugs fixed it. Regular oil changes and air filter inspections can prevent many problems. But if the issue persists, it's best to take the car to a professional shop for a diagnostic scan to avoid minor issues turning into major ones that affect driving safety.
