Why Is My Car Not Accelerating Properly?

Regular maintenances and services for your automobile are necessary for the entire time that you own it. Even new vehicles require periodic maintenance based on the amount of mileage you're putting on each week or month. It's a good idea to keep an eye on your vehicle as you're driving to determine what kind of service might be needed. After all, you're the person who knows your vehicle the best. If you notice that your vehicle seems a little slow to accelerate when you press the gas pedal, we can help you diagnose the issue. However, that's not something just anyone would notice if they're not regularly driving your automobile.

There are some common reasons why your vehicle may not be accelerating quickly enough. Here are the four most common problems that we see at our dealership in Duluth.

A Dirty Mass Air Flow Sensor or Dirty Oxygen Sensor

Different sensors like your mass airflow and oxygen sensors are designed to monitor different levels and processes while your engine is running. Your oxygen sensor will monitor the air to fuel ratio, while a mass airflow sensor determines how much air is moving through your engine at any given time. Over time, these sensors will become dirty with dirt and dust that you bring in from the outside air. We recommend having your mass airflow sensor cleaned if you're experiencing acceleration issues, but a dirty oxygen sensor will need to be replaced.

Diagnosing Issues with Your Throttle Position Sensor

This sensor is designed to monitor the process of your throttle valve opening and closing. The right angle must be maintained for optimal acceleration power, and communication must be occurring with your vehicle's computer to make this happen.

Routinely Replacing Your Fuel Filter

You want to reduce the number of particles that are inside of your engine and fuel if you're going to protect your vehicle while accelerating to the best of your vehicle's ability. Your fuel filter should be removed and replaced anywhere between 20,000 and 60,000 miles. The frequency you follow will be determined by the information outlined in your owner's manual and the amount of driving you do. It also matters where you're driving. Some places are dustier than others.

Replacing the Air Filter in Your Engine

You also want to protect your engine with the use of an engine air filter. Acceleration can be negatively affected if you've let the same air filter sit around for too long. The recommended time frame for this maintenance is around 45,000 miles, but it can be done as early as 15,000 miles if you've accumulated a lot of particles on your filter.

Contact Gwinnett Place Nissan as soon as you notice a problem with your acceleration potential. We will use our knowledge to quickly diagnose the problem that's going on so you can get back to normal driving in no time at all.