Why Is My Car Jolting Forward?

Dirty or Clogged Fuel Injectors

Dirty or clogged fuel injectors can cause your car to jerk or jolt while accelerating. Fuel injectors are responsible for spraying fuel into the engine’s cylinders, and when they become clogged, they can’t supply enough fuel to the engine, leading to jerky movements.

Failing Spark Plugs

If your spark plugs are failing, they can cause misfires in the engine, resulting in jerky movements. The spark plugs ignite the fuel and air mixture in the engine’s cylinders, and if they’re not functioning correctly, it can lead to jerking or jolting forward.

Faulty Transmission

A faulty transmission can also cause your car to jerk or jolt forward, especially when shifting gears. This is usually due to low transmission fluid levels or worn transmission components.

Dirty Air Filters

Dirty air filters can cause your engine to receive less air than it needs, leading to inefficient combustion and poor performance. This can cause jerky movements when accelerating.

Bad Fuel Pump

A failing fuel pump can cause your car to jerk or jolt, especially when trying to accelerate quickly. The fuel pump supplies fuel to the engine, and if it’s not working correctly, it can’t supply enough fuel to the engine, causing jerky movements.

If your car is jolting forward, it’s important to have it inspected by one of our professional mechanics to determine the root cause of the issue.