November 11, 2022
Here’s How to Find Out What’s Wrong with Your Auto
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Isn’t it just frustrating when your car won’t accelerate as fast as it should be even if you forcefully step on the gas pedal? Or worse, it doesn’t accelerate at all?
Poor acceleration is a common problem in high-mileage vehicles. With numerous possible causes, troubleshooting can get a little tricky. You can fix some of them on your own, but the more complicated issues require the intervention of a mechanic.
That said, Veteran Car Donations has compiled the six top reasons why a car won’t accelerate properly:
- Dirty or clogged air filter
The air filter is responsible for catching dirt, debris, and other impurities from the air that enters the engine during the combustion process. Once the engine gets clogged, it won’t have enough air to produce the right ratio of air and fuel. This results in slow acceleration. If that’s the case with your air filter, replace it as soon as you can.
- Faulty spark plugs
A spark plug misfire is another culprit behind a lack of acceleration. This lack of acceleration is telling you that your engine is no longer capable of igniting, nor does it have the capacity to increase its power when you step on the gas pedal.
- Oxygen sensor malfunction
If you’re not sure what an oxygen sensor is, it’s what monitors the exhaust emission within your vehicle to help analyze the air-fuel ratio going through the engine, after which it transmits the information to the car’s computer.
A damaged sensor won’t be able to send the information successfully, which means that your engine will have no idea how it can adjust the ratio. In such instances, the air-fuel mixture can lead to two things: The engine will run lean or rich, and the acceleration will become slower than usual.
- Electrical complications
Different kinds of cars use different sensors, such as the oxygen sensor, coolant temperature sensor, mass air flow sensor, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, throttle position sensor, camshaft sensor, and crankshaft sensor.
If one of the sensors isn’t working properly, your car’s engine control unit or engine control module can get confused, and it will most likely respond to inaccurate data. This triggers issues like sluggish acceleration.
The timing of combustion events and the mixture of gases should be exact for your car to run smoothly. Otherwise, it can cause acceleration problems.
- TPS malfunction
The throttle position sensor (TPS) monitors the air intake within your engine. It detects the angle of the throttle valve opening and sends the data to the computer.
If the TPS breaks down, it won’t be able to send the proper data. As such, the accelerator can no longer control the engine speeds. There will be times when the speed suddenly increases and other times when it drops without warning.
To determine if you have a defective TPS, you’ll need to look out for these signs: trouble changing gears, engine surging, warning lights on the dashboard, car stalling while driving, low fuel efficiency, and jerking while accelerating,
- Catalytic converter failure
The catalytic converter is in charge of reducing the emissions from an internal combustion engine. It also ensures that the proper amount of exhaust leaves the engine.
A worn catalytic converter creates an improper amount of back pressure, causing your engine to lose power.
Got a Malfunctioning Car? Here’s What You Can Do
If you have a car that does not accelerate properly and shows other signs of malfunction, if it will require extensive repairs that are just too costly for you, you may be better off saying goodbye to that vehicle and buying a new one instead of keeping it.
What to do with your old ride? Donate it to us at Veteran Car Donations! When you do that, you’ll be helping improve the living conditions of the struggling veterans in your local community while allowing yourself to enjoy the rewards of donating a car for charity.
We’ll put your vehicle up for auction, with the proceeds going to our veteran-focused nonprofit partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are dedicated to improving the lives of former U.S. service members who have become impoverished and homeless, those who can’t find decent jobs, and those suffering from service-connected disabilities as well as serious illnesses, including mental health conditions.
Our charity partners use the funding we give them to provide their beneficiaries with housing assistance, financial aid, employment and livelihood opportunities, family support, free quality health care and medical treatment, psychotherapy services, educational scholarships, and many other benefits.
Donating to us is not only stress-free but extremely rewarding as well. Your charitable contribution will entitle you to claim the highest possible tax deduction in the next tax season.
You will also receive a free professional towing service from us. Don’t worry if you’re not located in a major city — we can collect your donation wherever you are since our vehicle donation program covers the entire country.
Aside from the material rewards, nothing will beat the uplifting sense of fulfillment you’ll experience, knowing that your donation will help transform the lives of the suffering veterans and their families in your community.
We accept almost all vehicle types regardless of their ages or conditions. Whether you’re donating a car that still looks new or one that’s already rusty, we’ll be happy to accept it.
Our donation process is easy, quick, and convenient. All you have to do is contact us by phone or online. You’ll be done in just a few minutes and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home.
For more information about Veteran Car Donations and our quick and easy vehicle donation process, head over to our FAQs page. If you have any concerns or inquiries, feel free to call us through our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822 or message us here.
Be a Bearer of Hope for Our Hurting Heroes Today
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Show our disadvantaged former servicemen and servicewomen that there’s still a bright future waiting for them. Let your auto donation be one of the reasons to make that possible. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out this secure donation form now!
Last Updated: August 23rd, 2023