Reasons Why Your Vehicle Lacks Smooth Acceleration Or Feels Like Its Bucking
Have you been noticing that your vehicle does not have smooth acceleration? Don't ignore this. A jerking or bucking vehicle is often an early warning sign of impending problems.
At One Stop Automotive we can help get to the bottom of what’s going on with your vehicle.
There are some common reasons that come into play.
* Dirty or Clogged Fuel Injectors
Most gasoline will eventually cause dirty or clogged injectors and carbon buildup. This can reduce the injector functions, which in turn will in turn cause poor and uneven acceleration which leads to the bucking feeling.
* A Dirty Air Filter
A vehicle air filter obviously becomes clogged/dirty during use. This is when the car cannot breath very well and the engine begins to struggle. The engine may start to buck while it is struggles. We recommend changing the air filter once a year or every 12k miles at the most, This criteria could change based upon how and/or where you drive.
* Broken/clogged Catalytic Converters
A catalytic converter operates at temperatures around 500-800°F, and up to 1200°F when the vehicle is under heavy load. Catalytic converters can even start to break down under normal use. Poor fuel quality, a poorly tuned engine or malfunctioning sensors can contribute to catalytic converter failure. If you hit a big enough bump or rut in the road, jump a curb or have an impact with an object in the road, this can shatter the interior media of the catalytic converter. Broken of shattered media can move around and cause blockage in the converter which can greatly reduce engine power and even render a vehicle immobile. Converters, although expensive, are usually fairly easy to replace. They are expensive because the government laws make them mandatory.
* Old Worn Spark Plugs
Vehicles are designed to have components replaced, usually at certain or specific mileage. One of my previous personal vehicles had Spark plugs that were supposed to be changed at 100,000 miles. My engine must have known that because at 100.001 miles my engine started misfiring due to the old plugs. Old worn out spark plugs also cause incomplete fuel burn which can cause bucking, poor acceleration, lack of power, poor fuel economy and even damage catalytic converters.
* Internal Engine Damage
Internal engine damage could mean broken piston rings, scored cylinder walls, bent or worn valves/valve seats.
When internal components are damaged, they stop functioning as designed. Any of these issues and more, can cause the bucking feeling.
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To avoid breakdowns and sleeping in your car on the side of the road. Make an appointment to come see us at One Stop Automotive, we are here to help.