Three Common Reasons Why Your Car Isn’t Accelerating Properly

Sometimes during the life of your vehicle you may notice it may not accelerate properly, or feel sluggish when you depress the gas pedal. Being unable to pick up speed when accelerating uphill, merging onto a highway, or maintaining speed on a busy road can not only be frustrating, but dangerous as well. There could be various reasons for this, but here are four common reasons why your vehicle may not be accelerating properly.

1) Dirty Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) or Oxygen Sensor

If your mass air flow sensor or oxygen sensor becomes dirty, it can prevent the air fuel mixture of your vehicle from being monitored correctly. If this occurs, overall vehicle performance including acceleration and fuel mileage can be affected. The Mass Air Flow Sensor can typically be cleaned by our professional techs while the Oxygen Sensor will generally require replacement. Both can cause a Check Engine light to display so if you feel the performance of your vehicle is suffering and see a Check Engine light on your dashboard, bring it to our dealership for a professional diagnosis.

2) Malfunctioning Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)

The Throttle Position Sensor or TPS monitors the throttle valve opening angle and tells your engine's computer how the system should adjust. If it can't read the throttle position accurately, it will send incorrect information which will cause degraded vehicle performance.

3) Clogged Fuel Filter

The fuel filter aims to keep out dirt, debris, and sludge from the engine. When those impurities build up in your gas tank, the dirty fuel filter can cause the car to feel sluggish. When it is clogged, adequate amounts of fuel cannot reach the engine. Replacing the fuel filter will correct this issue.

If you want to learn more about why your car may not be accelerating properly, don't hesitate to contact our dealership and speak to our expert staff. Our service team is here to help address any concerns you may have.