Are you noticing that your car jerks when accelerating? You probably wonder what is causing it. Your first guess is probably a transmission problem. Not necessarily. There are a lot of reasons why you might have this issue.

Dirty Fuel Injectors
When fuel courses through the lines, it can leave the injectors dirty. This can begin to compromise how the injector functions, which has a noteworthy impact on acceleration. It can start to reduce the flow of the fuel, which leads to the jerking experience.

Dirty Air Filters
Air filters can become clogged and/or dirty after constant use. This is when the car begins to stutter and doesn’t function the way it is supposed to.

The best course of action in a situation like this is to replace the air filters.

Blocked Catalytic Converters
Catalytic converters can begin to break down through regular use. This includes blockages that have to be corrected by a qualified auto repair technician.

It’s possible to repair the catalytic converter and/or replace it depending on the situation. Once it is unclogged, the acceleration will become smoother.

Worn Out Spark Plugs
Spark plugs can start to wear down and these will have to be replaced to ensure there are no shortages in power throughout the vehicle. This can lead to the jerking experience when accelerating.

Damaged Gas Lines
In some cases, gas lines can become damaged. This impedes the fuel’s flow through the vehicle, which compromises how the vehicle functions.

These gas lines have to be fully repaired for them to work as intended.

Defective Carburetors
Carburetors are responsible for supplying air and fuel to the engine. If this tends to stop working, the engine won’t function as intended and that reduces acceleration.

This will have to be opened and repaired or in some cases replaced.

Damaged Cylinders
The last reason can be the cylinders becoming damaged.

When they are damaged, the cylinders stop functioning as intended and that causes the car to jerk. The best option is to repair the cylinders or repair them.

If you have this issue, don’t wait around. Bring you car into Lim’s Auto Body and let us take a look.

Lim’s Auto Body is a full service auto body and mechanical repair shop locally owned and operated in Largo, Florida. For more information, go to our web site www.limsautobody.com or call (727) 422-3232.

Changing your transmission fluid is not something the average person thinks about on a regular basis. Do you remember ever changing your transmission fluid? Perhaps you should check it out.

When Should You Change Your Transmission Fluid?

Every vehicle has its own requirements. That’s why following the recommendation in your owner’s manual is a must. It will tell you how often the transmission fluid should be changed, and what kind to use.

To check it, for most cars, the transmission dipstick is located behind the oil dipstick. You’ll see markings on it that indicate whether the fluid is adequate, or that more needs to be added.

How Do You Know When the Transmission Fluid Needs to Be Changed?

Wipe the dipstick with a clean rag or paper towel. Then look at the color of the transmission fluid.

• If it’s bright pink-the fluid is new. No need to change it.
• If it’s light brown with a hint of pink-It needs to be replaced.
• If it hasn’t been changed in a long time-it will be very dark brown. And, it may have metal particles floating about. This indicates transmission damage.

If your vehicle has lifetime transmission fluid, still check it around 100,000 miles. You want to make sure the vent tubes that allow pressure in your transmission to equalize isn’t allowing in dust and moisture, too.

Should You Flush or Simply Change the Transmission Fluid?

Again, let your owner’s manual be your guide! It will tell you which is recommended for your car, truck, or SUV.

For changing the fluid-Open the transmission drain (it’s on the underside of the car). About 50% of the fluid will drain into the pan. The other half stays in the torque converter as well as other parts of the transmission.

Flushing your transmission-This method allows you to completely change all of the fluid. Attach a transmission hose to the input of the line running through the transmission. Attach another to the output.

By pumping new transmission fluid into the transmission pushes out the old fluid. We caution that this method is only recommended if the current transmission fluid is in relatively good condition, showing no signs of damage.

Lim’s Auto Body is a full service auto body and mechanical repair shop locally owned and operated in Largo, Florida. For more information, go to our web site www.limsautobody.com or call (727) 422-3232.