One of the best thrills you can experience is the car’s speed while driving. Thus, it can be unpleasant when you step on the gas, but your car refuses to accelerate past 60mph.
This may seem like a minor issue that you may easily ignore until it repeatedly happens. It, therefore, requires a thorough check-up from a professional mechanic to help you determine the different sources of the issue.
Some of the reasons that may cause your car to strain while accelerating include the following:
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Air delivery issues
A blocked air filter can easily cause your car to stop accelerating properly by starving the engine air needed, which affects acceleration.
The fuel filter prevents dirt and other particles or impurities from getting to the engine or the fuel pump. Therefore, over time, the filtered debris will clog the passage causing it to block.
Fuel delivery problems
Clogged fuel systems are another common issue your car may face, thus starving your engine of enough fuel. A blocked fuel system, usually due to a dirty fuel filter, causes low engine power, which in turn causes fuel delivery issues.
Common symptoms to look out for include defective fuel pumps and clogged or failing fuel tanks and fuel injectors. Thus this may cause a strain in acceleration despite you pushing the gas pedal.
Emission control sensors
Emission control devices are essential to a car and may contribute to many problems if not well-checked. The oxygen sensor measures the exhaust system for oxygen levels after fuel combustion.
Thus, a damaged sensor can show signs of faultiness by reacting slowly and with poor acceleration. The crankshaft sensor data is also used to sync fuel delivery and spark timing.
Mismatched processes and ignition timing will lead to poor acceleration in your car
Ignition problems
The ignition systems are designed to create a powerful spark that ignites the fuel and air mixture. Therefore, worn or dirty spark plugs can significantly cause poor acceleration.
In other cases, poor ignition wires and coil wiring can prevent good fuel combustion, thus causing a loss of power
Mechanical problems.
Other mechanical components of your car may also lead to poor acceleration, causing your car to drag along the way. Even with the air filter or emission control sensors checked, the problem persists. Well, these are other areas that you can also look at to determine the source of the problem.
Trapped exhaust gase
prevent the free flow of air to your engine. Excessive back pressure is built and causes a massive reduction of the engine power.
Slipping the clutch disc
prevents full engagement with the engine, which does not give it good power to accelerate. You may feel the engine racing, but no acceleration happens; this can result from a loose connection from a cable or a slight adjustment preventing complete transmission.
Worn timing belt/chain
This knocks the spark timing causing it to be out of sync and reducing acceleration power to our car. This is a critical issue that should be further checked with your mechanic.
How to fix these issues
Taking care of your car involves paying maximum attention and avoiding some of the mentioned causes. Regular maintenance is one of the cheapest ways to fix these problems and avoid many repair instances.
Cleaning your car, including its parts such as the air filters and fuel injectors, can be an easy place part to start with and could significantly help. This costs you nothing as you could do it for yourself at home.
It would help if you also looked into replacing spark plugs and wires which are the significant causes of ignition issues. This can be a simple operation that should not cause any trouble. However, ensure you have a proper diagnosis before carrying out the operation.
All mechanical issues, however, require proper attention from a reliable service center or a professional mechanic to sort you out.
The exhaust systems or worn timing belts/chains can only be properly repaired by a professional, which are crucial parts for your car.
Therefore, such parts can only be taken care of by your mechanic, who will efficiently prevent frequent or inconsistent acceleration issues.
Mechanical issues can be challenging for you as an individual; thus, it is better to let someone in the profession have a good diagnosis.
Standard costs due to reduced power or mechanical issues range from $100 to $700, depending on the problem and the mechanic’s labor.
Take away
Car maintenance is the most significant aspect of a good car. Poor acceleration, as discussed, is mainly caused by poor maintenance issues, which can be avoided easily.
Therefore, when your car barely exceeds the 60mph mark, you can look out for these symptoms and find a way to fix or replace them. Alternatively, have a professional mechanic look into the issue for a sure diagnosis.
