Why Does My Car Jump When I Put It In Drive?
When you have a vehicle with automatic transmission, you don’t have to think too much when controlling it on the roads. Despite the fact that they can do their work with minimal human intervention other than a regular topping of fluids, sometimes the automatic cars can be a mystery.
Most mechanics fear handling the transmission issues because they can complicate the whole operating system. That leaves you with a lot of questions to answer, but don’t worry, this article is meant to help you understand wholly about the jerking problem of your car.
How do you feel when your car suddenly jumps and stops operating smoothly when you put it in drive? Notably, when the vehicle plunges, you tend to be more concerned with your safety first, then the next thing is to know the reason for such. Well, what is the real cause of car lunging or jerking movement?
When your car’s transmission shifts so fast into the gears, it will make it “jerk” or even accelerate more quickly than the normal status of immediate shift. The most typical cause of such hard shifts is the reduced fluid level. Therefore, consider checking the fluid level more often and consider refilling if it’s less to keep the car working optimally as expected.
Car-jump when put in drive is because of a number of reasons. One, as stated above, can be due to reduced transmission fluid. The other common factors that play a role in car jerking include the failure or misalignment of sensors, dirty transmission fluid, clogged transmission filter, worn-out parts, or the failure of the transmission pump.
How Much Should I Be Worried If My Car Jerks When I Put It In Drive?
Whichever source that makes your car to jump, it’s a serious matter, and you should not ignore it for long. Doing so might leave you one day stranded by the roadside in the middle of nowhere.
If your car feels jerky and jumpy, it’s typically a transmission problem giving the gears a tough time when shifting. Currently, many vehicles have computerized systems fixed at the engines. Therefore when the jumpy feeling emerges, it can be suspected to be either due to the failure of sensors or the solenoid shifting.
If it’s the issue at transmission or the engine, please fix it. It’s pretty simple, and in most states, it doesn’t cost too much.
Potential Reasons Your Car Jump When Put In Drive
Reduced Transmission Fluid
The car transmission system uses fluid to make the entire operating system run smoothly. The right amount of fluid is paramount to ensure that it can circulate to every point to offer the required pressure or lubrication. If the transmission fluid is low, the car will find it hard to shift the gears in and out.
The hardness in shifting gears makes the car jump. Low transmission fluid might also make the entire transmission system not work. Cases of low transmission fluid are reported if the system has some leaks. The fluid shouldn’t lower quickly since the system is closed and fluid doesn’t burn up like oil.
The number one sign that will help you know when you’re losing the transmission fluid is identifying dark-red colored fluid at the vehicle’s parking lot.
Dirty Transmission Fluid
Dirty fluid affects the smooth shifting of the transmission system. For example, if the fluid has small pieces of metals or dirt, the transmission system is worn out faster, and it won’t create the right hydraulic pressure. Shifting of gears is also challenging since more energy is needed to do the job.
If your car doesn’t have fluid leaking problems, check whether the fluid is clean. If the transmission fluid is dirty, change it and note whether the issue is resolved.
Clogging of the Transmission Filter
Sometimes large particles can get engorged in the transmission filter, causing serious blockage inside the system. Unlike dirty fluids, clogging can be due to worn-outs or outside particles causing the jerky problem.
When the filter is clogged, the transmission pump tends to strain, making it wear out faster, the hydraulic pressure will also change with clogging, and the transmission function will be reduced to a lower level. If your car’s transmission filter is clogged, you don’t need to change the fluid or flash the whole transmission, especially if you have done such more recently.
You only need to hire a technician to help you remove the particles forming the clog. If the gear shifting doesn’t change after the removal of the particles, then you can opt to change the filter itself. It’s recommended that you change the filter every time you renew the transmission fluid.
Failure of the Transmission Pump
The transmission pump is located close to the filter. Therefore, if the pump starts failing, you will realize that the car will start the jumpy movements anytime you shift gift gears. Whining noise from the engine is heard as you drive if the pump is failing. The engine light might be on if the pump issue has been sensed.
There are cases in which the transmission pump will have to put in extra work once the filter is clogged. A clogged filter makes the pump fail even sooner. Compounding the problems of the transmission pump, it can be a bit expensive to fix, but don’t allow the clogged filter to be the cause of transmission pump failure.
Worn-Out Components
The simplest reason for the jumpy feeling of your car when put in drive is the breakdown of the essential parts making the transmission system. If your vehicle is old, worn-out parts should be the number reason you suspect to cause the jerky or jumpy movements.
Older car components at the transmission system don’t work effectively as required. They can lose shifting, alignment, or do the over-revving. When worn-out parts get weaker, your car’s transmission turns to be erratic- the car will be made to jump as you put it in drive.
