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All Symptoms

Car jerks or hesitates when accelerating

Needs attention soon

car stutters when pressing gas · hesitation on acceleration

Symptom description

The car jerks, stutters or hesitates when you press the accelerator, instead of smoothly picking up speed.

Common causes

  • A cylinder misfire from a worn spark plug, coil or injector
  • A dirty throttle body or clogged fuel injector
  • A vacuum leak causing an inconsistent air-fuel mixture
  • A failing transmission (if the hesitation coincides with a gear change)

What to check

Check whether the check engine light is on and flashing - a flashing (not steady) check engine light during a misfire means you should stop driving as soon as safely possible.

Can you keep driving?

Generally safe for a short trip if the check engine light is steady or off, but get it diagnosed soon - it will likely get worse.

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Descriptions are for guidance only and do not replace a workshop inspection. If you are ever unsure whether it is safe to keep driving, pull over in a safe spot.

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