Your Fuel Injectors are Dirty

Your car’s engine uses fuel injectors, whose job is pretty straightforward – inject the proper amount of fuel into the engine to keep it running. Over time, the fuel injectors will naturally become dirty and can become clogged if left alone too long. If this happens, your engine won’t be able to get the fuel it needs to keep running.

If Your Engine Can’t Get Adequate Fuel, it will Misfire

Without the fuel it needs, your engine will misfire, causing the jerk you’re noticing while trying to accelerate. While this can go a short while, the longer you wait to have it checked by a mechanic, the more you risk causing further damage to your engine.

Your Catalytic Converter is Clogged

The catalytic converter is an essential part of your car’s emissions system. In short, it converts toxic carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, which is much less hazardous. This exhaust can now be pushed out through the tail pipe and away from your car. However, if you notice your car jerking from time to time, it could be because your catalytic converter is clogged.

The Air-Fuel Mixture Can Sometimes Cause Clogging

If your catalytic converter becomes clogged, it’s likely an indicator of a larger problem with parts in your engine. That’s because the clog is the result of incorrect air-fuel mixture, causing fuel to pass through the catalytic converter. This can cause your car to jerk for a few moments and can ultimately lead to catalytic converter failure. It’s important to have your engine and emissions system inspected if you suspect your catalytic converter is to blame.

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