Why Is My Car Not Accelerating Properly?

If you've noticed that your vehicle isn't accelerating quite as quickly as you're used to when you're merging onto the highway or going from a complete stop to a quick start, there are a few issues to keep an eye out for. The most common reasons why your car isn't accelerating can usually be fixed quickly, so we encourage you to reach out to Stone Briar Chevy in Texas if you've noticed issues with acceleration or you have a check engine light on.

Checking Your Mass Air Flow Sensor and Oxygen Sensor

It's common for these two sensors to become dirty with daily driving, and this issue will prevent the air/fuel mixture in your engine from being correctly controlled. The acceleration of your vehicle can suffer, along with your fuel efficiency rating. Cleaning your mass airflow sensor or replacing your oxygen sensor can quickly rectify the situation.

Inspection of Your Throttle Position Sensor

The throttle position sensor (TPS) is designed to monitor the size of your throttle valve opening based on the angle that it's at. This sensor communicates with your engine's computer to adjust the angle as needed. The sensor may have an issue that prevents these readings from being accurately completed, resulting in incorrect information being relayed. Your acceleration can be affected negatively in this situation.

Changing Out a Clogged Fuel Filter

Keeping particles out of your engine is incredibly important for protecting your vehicle and maintaining the ability to accelerate properly. When you allow things like dirt and debris to accumulate and clog the filter, you may find that your car isn't accelerating quite how you would hope.

Changing Out a Dirty Air Filter

Your vehicle manufacturer has a set interval that they recommend you follow to prevent your air filter from becoming clogged. You want to ensure that your engine doesn't experience hampered airflow.

Contact Stone Briar Chevy Texas if you would like to have one of our certified technicians look at an issue that you're experiencing with acceleration. These are the most common issues that people experience when it comes to decreased acceleration, and they generally don't require a lot of time to fix. We can also check for any other issues contributing to a lack of acceleration when you're driving.