Check This Component If The Car Feels Heavy To Pull

JAKARTA, February 2025, When driving, Daihatsu friends certainly want their beloved car to run smoothly as usual. However, it is surprising when the car suddenly feels heavy during acceleration, even when the engine is running at low to high rpm.

Of course, such symptoms indicate that there is a component part in the car that is having problems. Thus, it needs to be serviced or there are parts that need to be replaced. However, there is no need to panic if you know the issues that occur when the car feels heavy. Especially for cars that have been used for quite a long time.

Here are the components that need to be checked if the car experiences such problems.

Check Disc Brake Caliper Piston & Drum Brake Hydraulic Shoe

Although rare, sometimes the movement of the disc brake caliper piston can be sluggish, which can also make the car feel heavy. Especially if dirt has started to accumulate in the caliper piston area, leading to thick rust. It is no wonder if the brake pads continue to clamp the disc because their position is no longer free.

Meanwhile, the drum brakes commonly adopted on the rear wheels usually have the brake shoe lever rod in the hydraulic drum looking dirty and rusty. This causes the shoe to have difficulty returning and continues to clamp the drum. Moreover, if the handbrake adjustment is too high, it causes the brake pads to be very close to the drum. Therefore, this component needs to be serviced and readjusted.

Severely Damaged Wheel Bearings

In addition to problems in the braking system, another cause of the car feeling heavy can be severely damaged wheel bearings. Especially since the bearings on the wheel axle function as wheel supports. When damaged, it not only makes the movement sluggish but also produces strange noises. So, do not let it get severely damaged if you want the wheels to rotate perfectly.

Transmission System Issues

The common transmission systems in cars are two, namely automatic and manual, depending on the type of car. For manual transmission, if the clutch plate is thin, the pull usually feels heavy and the engine often roars. This is because the clutch plate does not grip well with the flywheel. The looseness causes the clutch to slip accompanied by vibrations, making the car move slowly.

Meanwhile, automatic transmission utilizes gears with plates in the hydraulic system. Gear shifting will be hindered when the automatic transmission system is pinched or even stuck. The cause of the automatic transmission being pinched is due to a lack of transmission oil. Therefore, even if you press the gas pedal fully, the engine and gear position will feel like they are being held back. This is what makes the engine roar.

Issues with the Air Conditioner Component

Before checking complicated components when your Daihatsu car feels slow, it is good to check supporting components in the engine such as the AC (Air Conditioner). Especially if the car feels heavy when the AC feature is turned on, there is a high possibility that the AC circulation has issues.

A problematic car AC can be the cause of the car feeling heavy due to blockages in the cooling system. Usually, blockages occur in the condenser or dryer of the AC system. To find out the problem, it is best to visit the nearest AC workshop.

Weak Spark Plugs or Excessive Oil Volume

A heavy car pull can be caused by spark plugs starting to weaken or excessive oil volume. Although it is somewhat difficult to see damage to the spark plugs, as this part still produces sparks when the engine is started. However, the indicator that the spark plugs are starting to weaken is when the spark is not blue and focused in the center, especially if it spreads to the sides of the electrode. This causes incomplete combustion.

Similarly, forcing excessive engine oil volume into the engine, for the sake of keeping the engine durable and quiet, can have adverse effects. The effect of adding lubricant beyond the recommended amount makes the engine work harder to rotate. Not to mention that it can also cause the rubber seals in the engine to wear out quickly.