6 Reasons Why Your Vehicle is Losing Power Even When Accelerating

You probably experienced it yourself. One minute, you're driving blissfully, and the next minute, your car starts to lose power when you accelerate. Others might think that the reason for this is fuel--and you might be right. However, there's also other reasons why such could be happening.

There are many causes why your car is suddenly losing power when you're pressing down on the accelerator.

These are the common ones that mechanics often encounter. (Note that they are applicable to both gas and diesel engines).

Low Fuel Compression

Your car's engine can't supply optimal fuel if its cylinder compression isn't working properly. So when your car's compression is low, then your engine's power is also low. This affects how energy is distributed--including your accelerator.

Obstructed Fuel Filter

Gas, no matter how pure it looks, has minute particles inside them. Fuel filters work by screening out these impurities so they won't clog--and damage--your engine. Damaged engines will make it difficult generate enough power to make your car work efficiently--and this includes your car's acceleration.

Clogged Air Filter

On a similar vein, air filters also work like fuel filters by screening out debris and other impurities that get inside the internal combustion chamber. This chamber is part of the engine, and is needed to mix gas and air together to power up your vehicle.

If there are impurities in your air filter, then this can limit the amount of air needed to get inside the internal combustion chamber. Lack of air generates lesser power, which can affect your car's accelerator.

Oxygen Sensor Malfunction

Oxygen sensors are found inside the exhaust manifold. They work by keeping track of the oxygen level in exhaust gases as they leave the engine. This is important, because once the engine control module knows the exact oxygen level in these gases, then the engine knows if it's burning too much fuel or too little fuel. This allows the computer to make the right adjustments to the timing of the fuel injection so the engine can give off the maximum power output.

Damaging this component lessens power output; hence, lower power and acceleration.

Camshaft Position Sensor Failure

A properly-functioning camshaft position sensor can help prevent your car from stalling so you can reach your destination without any problems. It works by timing both the the ignition and fuel injection of your vehicle. When damaged, the timing between these components become convoluted, affecting your engine's performance. This affect your engine's power ouput, which in turn can affect your accelerator.

Fuel Injection Failure

Fuel injectors are the "Davids" among the "Goliaths" in your car's engine. They're often underestimated, but your car won't even start without them.

Fuel injectors are inside the fuel system, and their important job is to spray fuel inside the engine. The car's computer controls the specific time and interval they spray fuel into the engine so it can perform optimally under various driving conditions.

When damaged or malfunctioning in any way, the engine will have insufficient power to even start your vehicle. And even if you can make it run, then you will encounter a lot of performance problems on the road, which includes your car's acceleration.

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