Why Is My Car Not Accelerating Properly?

There are a lot of issues that can present themselves when you own an automobile. Even if you've bought a brand new model from Van Buick GMC, daily driving will lead to the need for service. You may find that your vehicle doesn't feel like it's accelerating properly when you step on the pedal, or the car might feel a bit sluggish when you take your foot off the pedal. Depending on where you're driving, you may not feel like you're able to keep up with merging (on the highway or other busy roads). Taking care of this inconvenient and unsafe situation is essential. There are four typical reasons for this issue with acceleration that our staff will consider when you bring your vehicle in for us to look at.

Dirty Oxygen Sensor or Dirty Mass Air Flow Sensor

It's common for an oxygen sensor or airflow sensor to become dirty over time, which can keep your air/fuel mixture from being monitored correctly. Your acceleration, as well as your vehicle performance, can be negatively affected. Our certified and knowledgeable technicians at DEALER can clean your MAF sensor, but we will likely need to replace your oxygen sensor if it's too dirty. Keep an eye out for a check engine light that indicates this is a current issue.

Malfunctioning Throttle Position Sensor

There is a throttle position sensor on your vehicle that controls the angle of your throttle valve opening. Your engine's computer will adjust accordingly. If there's an issue with your sensor, this will cause the incorrect information to be sent to the computer. Vehicle performance could also decrease.

Damaged or Clogged Fuel Filter

Your fuel filter is designed to prevent dirt and other debris from accumulating in your engine and gas tank. If you have a clogged fuel filter or it's damaged, this can prevent fuel from reaching the engine compartment. With a simple changeover of your fuel filter, everything should be working properly again.

Air Filter Issues

It's recommended that your air filter is changed periodically to prevent proper airflow. If you leave a dirty filter in your vehicle, this will prevent adequate acceleration from occurring. You can check your owner's manual for more information on the interval frequency.

Contact Van Buick GMC if you would like our assistance with acceleration problems. We're happy to help diagnose the problem, and we'll come up with a solution that helps get you back on the road.