Why is the Car Jerking? Here are the Causes and How to Overcome It!

Knowing the causes of why a car jerks and how to overcome it is essential for car owners. This issue can occur at any time and disrupt driving comfort. It can even potentially cause accidents. So what are the factors that cause this problem to occur?

Causes of Car Jerking While Driving

There are several factors that cause a car to jerk while driving. Here are the complete factors.

1. Damage to the fuel pump

The fuel pump is a car component that functions to pump fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor. If the fuel pump component is damaged, the fuel flow will be obstructed, causing the engine not to receive the fuel supply it needs. As a result, the car will jerk while driving, especially when accelerating.

2. Clogged fuel filter

In addition to fuel pump damage, a clogged fuel filter due to dirt can also cause fuel flow to be obstructed, leading to car jerking.

3. Dirty engine air filter

A dirty engine air filter can also cause the car to jerk while driving. This condition occurs because the air filter cannot filter the air properly, resulting in the engine not getting hot enough, causing the car to stutter even when the gas pedal is pressed.

4. Exposed spark plug wires

Exposed spark plug wires can also cause the car to jerk while driving, especially at low RPMs. This problem often occurs in cars that have had their spark plug wires replaced.

5. Poor quality or damaged spark plugs

Using low-quality spark plugs or damaged spark plugs can also cause the car to jerk. As is known, spark plugs are a key component in the combustion system because they create a spark. If this component is damaged, the engine's combustion process cannot occur.

6. Problematic car ECU

A problematic car ECU causes the timing of fuel distribution to be disrupted and not timely, resulting in suboptimal mixing of air and fuel. As a result, the fuel combustion process in the engine is disturbed, causing the car to jerk.

7. Use of fuel not according to car specifications or nearly empty fuel

Using fuel that does not meet the car's RON standards makes the car's compression less optimal, thus affecting engine performance. Additionally, nearly empty fuel makes the car feel jerky because the engine does not receive the fuel supply it needs.

8. Empty radiator water

Empty radiator water causes the car engine to overheat, disrupting the car's speed while driving.

9. Air entering the injection system

Air entering the injection system can also cause the car to jerk due to unstable fuel pressure.

How to Overcome Car Jerking While Driving 

There are several ways to overcome car jerking while driving. Here are the complete methods.

1. Regularly check car components

To prevent the car from jerking while driving, you need to regularly check the condition of each car component. Starting from the condition of the spark plugs, spark plug wires, fuel system components, sensor systems, to the engine combustion system. Replace any problematic components immediately.

2. Use appropriate fuel

Next, you need to use fuel that meets your car's specifications to maximize engine compression. Don't forget to refuel when the fuel indicator approaches the E mark.

3. Perform regular maintenance

Finally, you need to service regularly so that any damage to car components can be properly addressed. Don't forget to service at an official Daihatsu workshop, so that damaged components are replaced with original spare parts and handled by competent mechanics in their field. If necessary, perform a tune-up to restore the car's performance to its original condition.