Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

So, I bought my Dart brand new with 12 miles on it. Every six months I have taken it to dealer after dealer and shop after shop because the accelerator was not responding like it should be. I also had a sepaate issue of a faulty battery and they changed that out and updated the software on the PCM. It drove and started up like new for a couple of weeks but then went back to accelerating poorly again and I have had this problem constantly until I recently about a week ago changed the air filter for the second time. It now drives like it is supposed to.I am experiencing a lot better performance
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to help.

A dirty or clogged air filter can absolutely cause the car to hesitate or demonstrate a lack of power at acceleration. As you may know, this is the equivalent of a human trying to go for a jog without being able to breathe. The air filter is your engine’s link to fresh air and when it is not properly flowing, this can cause major performance issues on any car. I would recommend at least checking the air filter at every oil change interval to be sure it is not clogged or excessively dirty.

Here at YourMechanic, we can also have a technician come to your home or office to confirm the issue for you and perform the air filter replacement.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

An engine that is hesitating to accelerate is most likely dealing with a fuel/air mixture that is too lean. Engine`s that are running inefficiently will begin to show signs like hesitation which will only become worse over time.
What does it mean if your gas pedal is stiff? The linkage between the pedal and the carburetor (or injection component) is in need of adjustment, lubrication, or repair.
The “stiff” gas pedal issue is most likely caused by a dirty throttle body in the air intake system. Cleaning the throttle body should relieve this symptom. The lack of “Drive” selection, unless first selecting “Reverse”, could be a loose or misadjusted shift cable or shift linkage issue.
Fuel Pump: The fuel pump in most modern vehicles sits inside the fuel tank and pumps fuel up to the engine. If a fuel pump cannot provide the correct pressure, fuel may have difficulty making it to the engine. A vehicle that hesitates while accelerating or while driving up a hill may have a weak fuel pump.
Common causes of why a car feels sluggish when accelerating include dirty mass air flow sensor (MAF), faulty spark plugs, defective throttle position sensor, clogged catalytic converter, faulty oxygen sensor, clogged air filter, and fuel system malfunctioning.
Control and adjust your throttle sensitivity easily with a throttle response controller. The fastest way to control your gas pedal response is by installing a device called a throttle response controller.
Yes. While the damage may seem small initially, the longer you drive with a bad oxygen sensor, the worse the damage will become. Eventually, you may experience rough idling, poor acceleration, engine misfires, an illuminated check engine light, and failed emission tests.
Rough starts, hesitation and poor acceleration are all common symptoms of a bad spark plug. If a spark plug or multiple spark plugs are faulty, they will have trouble creating the spark that causes the ignition process in your vehicle.
Irregular resistance within the fuel pump motor can lead to your car slowing down and being unable to accelerate. Failing to accelerate is a good sign that your vehicle`s fuel pump needs inspection.
One of the most common causes for a rough idle and poor acceleration is a dirty or bad throttle body.
When a throttle body is not functioning correctly, you`ll usually notice a distinctly poor or very low idle. If the problem is really severe, you might even begin stalling when coming to a stop or when the throttle is quickly pressed.
Easy ways to get ride of throttle delay is by making sure you keep up with basic maintenance like change fluids, air filter, fuel filter, tire pressure which all help to improve speed, fuel economy. Making sure you have clean fuel filter will help improve fuel economy, speed, and rpm at various shift points.
Can I Do Anything to Change my Gas and Brake Pedal Sensitivity? Unless you`re a trained mechanic, there isn`t anything you can do yourself to change your pedal sensitivity.
The oxygen sensor problem is the number one reason cars are slow to accelerate. The oxygen sensor is responsible for monitoring the air-to-fuel ratio in the engine, and over time it can become dirty or damaged, which will decrease power. Oxygen sensor malfunction will result in a mixture being too lean.
The Dodge Darts with faulty transmissions experienced symptoms such as rough shifting, jerking motions, and service transmission light illuminating. The most common fix is to replace the transmission, which also costs a lot of money ($3,420 on average).
The Dodge Darts with faulty transmissions experienced symptoms such as rough shifting, jerking motions, and service transmission light illuminating. The most common fix is to replace the transmission, which also costs a lot of money ($3,420 on average).
The Dodge Darts with faulty transmissions experienced symptoms such as rough shifting, jerking motions, and service transmission light illuminating. The most common fix is to replace the transmission, which also costs a lot of money ($3,420 on average).
Dirty fuel injectors are among the most common reasons for why an accelerator becomes jerky. The dirty injector leads to your car losing power when you attempt to accelerate while at a stop and when you try to drive at a consistent speed. This is the result of an engine misfire.
The easiest way to remove lag is by installing a device on your gas pedal called a throttle response controller. Throttle Response Controllers are blue tooth controlled, inexpensive, and make a big difference in immediate gas pedal response.
Dirty fuel injectors are among the most common reasons for why an accelerator becomes jerky. The dirty injector leads to your car losing power when you attempt to accelerate while at a stop and when you try to drive at a consistent speed. This is the result of an engine misfire.
Dirty fuel injectors are among the most common reasons for why an accelerator becomes jerky. The dirty injector leads to your car losing power when you attempt to accelerate while at a stop and when you try to drive at a consistent speed. This is the result of an engine misfire.
The 2013–2015 Dodge Dart cars are allegedly equipped with clutch pedals that lose pressure, stick to the floor, and fail to engage or disengage gears. As a result, the drivers are blocked from shifting gears and the Dodge Dart cars end up stalling.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to help.

A dirty or clogged air filter can absolutely cause the car to hesitate or demonstrate a lack of power at acceleration. As you may know, this is the equivalent of a human trying to go for a jog without being able to breathe. The air filter is your engine’s link to fresh air and when it is not properly flowing, this can cause major performance issues on any car. I would recommend at least checking the air filter at every oil change interval to be sure it is not clogged or excessively dirty.

Here at YourMechanic, we can also have a technician come to your home or office to confirm the issue for you and perform the air filter replacement.

Read Full Q/A … : Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

Having problems accelerating at high speeds causing jerking feeling…this happens when slightly pushing gas pedal
ANSWER : This problem of a slight jerk feel is what is known as a lean tip in surge. The cause can be an indication that the engine is running lean and may be caused by dirty injectors, throttle body, air filter, mass air sensor, ignition system service or O2 sensors. A test will need to be done to check all these areas and see if normal maintenance is needed or more thorough testing is needed to isolate the cause. If you need help with this, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can come to your home or office to inspect the acceleration issue and determine what repairs are necessary.

Read Full Q/A … : Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

My car has poor acceleration.
ANSWER : From what you’ve described, it sounds like you may have a mass airflow sensor that is giving incorrect data for the altitude you are at. This can cause low power, pinging, and O2 codes indicating a too lean condition. A certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, can compare the computer data from the mass airflow sensor to your altitude and replace the sensor if it’s not accurate.

Read Full Q/A … : Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

It feels like my car is about to break down, like I am very carefully carrying the engine home so it doesn’t fall out.
ANSWER : Hi there. I would typically start by checking to see if the check engine light is on and then I would scan the computer for codes. This can give some insight as to what is going on. If there are no codes then I’d monitor the signal from the sensors to make sure that they are all working fine. If those are also fine then the issue sounds like it may be a catalytic converter or a transmission problem. This vehicle has a history of transmission failures that could cause this. Also, if the catalytic converter fails it will cause the same symptoms. I usually test the converter for any signs of failure and do a back pressure test of the exhaust before getting into the transmission. If you’d like assistance in diagnosing this issue, a certified YourMechanic technician can inspect these issues with your engine hesitating and help diagnose your vehicle.

Your issues with the air conditioning unit are likely unrelated to the issues with your engine, and you will likely need your AC unit inspected in order to diagnose that issue.

Read Full Q/A … : Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

Engine runs, but car doesn’t accelerate?
ANSWER : Knowing the results of the computer diagnosis as well as the part that was replaced can be helpful in assisting you with your Pontiac G3. It is possible the part that was replaced is defective and may need to be replaced. Based on what you described with your vehicle, it appears that you may be experiencing transmission issues.

The engine should never be revved up to six to seven thousand RPMs when the vehicle is not moving, as this can cause damage to the vehicle’s components. Because the information provided is a little unclear, it is hard to determine if you are having concerns with your transmission or if the problem lies with the engine itself.

If you don’t trust going back to the same mechanic that worked on your car originally, get yourself a second opinion and enlist the help of one of our certified mechanics who can diagnose why the Check Engine Light is on as well as determine why your Pontiac is not accelerating. They will also be able to assist you with the repairs needed to get your G3 up and running again.

Read Full Q/A … : Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

When driving there is a loud clanking noise that I can feel in my shifter and when I push in the clutch I can feel it in my car
ANSWER : Hello – I suspect you may have a worn or damaged front u-joint problem with the driveshaft, since you can feel it through the shifter. given your mileage, the tailshaft housing bushing (for the driveshaft) in the transmission may also be worn, allowing the driveshaft to "wobble" more than it should as well. I would recommend having a car is shaking or vibrating inspection completed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

Vehicle vibrates while accelerating and stops when you take your leg off the pedal or accelerate more
ANSWER : I suspect you have a problem in a CV joint, or if you have the all wheel drive version; in a drive shaft. The joints that enable the shafts to move around can wear out and when they do, they can produce a vibration at "resonate" speeds. There might be a vibration at 40 MPH that smooths out at 50 and then returns at 60. Or any other odd sounding pattern. You can have that conveniently checked out by contacting Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home or office who can check out your Toyota’s vibration and give you a more exact idea of what is the problem and what it will take to fix it.

Read Full Q/A … : Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

My car is not driving smooth as I feel hard acceleration but only at low speed i.e 40 km/hr
ANSWER : Hi there. This presents an interesting situation and I completely understand how you feel. It’s almost like now that something has gone wrong, you wonder what else is going wrong with the car? And it doesn’t feel like it should. More often than not, there may not be anything going on except in our own mind; we never seem to notice much until something happens. And you’re right to try to get to the bottom of it.

I have to ask first, why was the compressor bearing replaced? When you were driving through the rain, what type of noise did you hear? If it was a squealing noise, then it may have simply been water that had gotten onto the serpentine belt while driving in the rain. However, I still do not know why a compressor bearing was replaced. As for the low "grrr" sound, this could simply be a resonation from the AC tubes if they were repositioned during the repair.

I have also experienced Toyotas that develop a similar sound or low rattle type sound under moderate acceleration from the exhaust manifold heat shields and/or the intake manifold bolt hole inserts becoming loose. This wouldn’t necessarily be a safety or engine performance concern, but would definitely make you feel like it is. Be sure to have a professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, perform an inspection to determine what repairs are needed.

Read Full Q/A … : Poor acceleration, feels tight when I push on the accelerator.

Eric smoalih

I am a certified master technician with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and I have been working as an auto mechanic for over 15 years. I am passionate about my work, and I take great pride in helping people keep their cars running smoothly.