September 03, 2024
Numerous drivers know their vehicles inside out, implying they can tell right away when the engine is not giving them as much power as it generally would. A loss of power is most apparent during acceleration, but even when driving at a constant speed, you might notice that your car is flooding. This is the time when you need to check the engine light.
If you know your vehicle well and notice it is not responding how it should, or if you are trying to put the pedal to the metal but driving at the speed of a snail, these are the signs of your vehicle losing its power.
While wrong fuel in the car is one of many contributors to poor car health, there are many reasons for a vehicle to lose its power. Let us take a deep dive into this.
Things you can do at once when you notice your car is losing power
What do you do if your car has lost power after filling up? Well, the first thing you should do is check engine light. But what to do when check engine light comes on? If it has come on shorty after filling up, we suggest you pull over somewhere safe as soon as possible.
Driving your car with contaminated or incorrect fuel can damage the sensitive system of fuel components and internal engine damage.
Having your car diagnosed and inspected by a workshop will pinpoint the issue, and repairs can be carried out to get you back on the road. If water or any other contaminants have been present while filling up, take a fuel sample and keep the receipt. It will help with any claims for reimbursements from the service stations for repairs or damage caused.
Things you need to tell the expert
You now have the check engine light reasons with you. Let us take a look at the things you need to tell the expert:
1. It is a lack of responsiveness when you put your foot on the accelerator.
2. Running rough is when your car is not running smoothly, including the revs per minute jumping up and down or falling below 600 rpm, accompanied by strange sounds.
3. Sporadic shutdown of the electric system.
4. It might be as simple as a loose battery terminal. The car needs power to start the ignition, provided by the car battery. If the terminals are loose, it may cause the car to slow down, or the internal lighting may dim.
5. Misfires can feel like jerking or stumbling from the engine; you will notice rough or slow acceleration.
6. Due to a faulty ignition switch, your vehicle may not start at all or start and then stall or lose interior lighting.
Also Read: How Often Should You Change Engine Oil In A Car?
Reasons your car is losing power
You might be wondering, ‘why my engine light is on?’ One of the primary reasons for this is the loss of power in your vehicle. So, without further ado, let us take a look at the reasons for your query, ‘why is my engine light on:’
1. Clogged fuel filter
Fuel tanks attract dirt accumulation along with debris and dust over time. Eventually, this debris can clog the fuel filter, making it difficult for the fuel to pass through to the fuel pump. It can overwork the fuel pump and affect the car’s engine’s performance, resulting in power loss during acceleration.
2. Clogged catalytic converter
Before heading to autocare shop for assistance, you must know why the vehicle is losing power. One of the primary reasons is a blocked catalytic converter. These regulate the emissions that leave the exhaust. They possess ceramic or aluminium honeycomb mesh-coated palladium or platinum, which chemically reacts with unburnt fuel and carbon monoxide. This redox reaction follows the creation of water and carbon dioxide, two way less harmful by-products.
3. Blocked air filter
When the internal combustion chamber of the car mixes petrol and air to produce power, the air first goes through the air filter before it enters the chamber. This filter assists in shielding the chamber from outside debris. Suppose you have a clogged or dirty air filter. In that case, insufficient air is getting through the engine for optimal combustion, and there will be a lack of power when trying to accelerate, especially in diesel cars.
4. ECU error
Your vehicle can lose power if the engine control unit notices a mechanical error in the vehicle that does not exist. When it occurs, the ECU might decrease the car’s power, sending it into limp mode. In some scenarios, it might stop totally to prevent an accident. Such errors might go away on their own, but you should still consider visiting an auto care shop.
5. Faulty spark plugs
The IC engine relies on the spark plug to transmit the electrical signal from the ignition coils to the internal combustion chamber. As soon as it happens, an electric spark ignites the mixture of fuel and air. If you have faulty spark plugs that cannot transmit the electrical signal, the engine’s performance will weaken, and you won’t be able to reach the acceleration as quickly. Take the initiative to reach out to a reputed auto repair Perth.
6. MAF sensor malfunction
This sensor measures the amount of air getting into the engine. It sends the data to the engine control unit, which maintains the ratio of air and fuel accordingly. If this sensor is faulty, it will also result in a loss of power. Therefore, seeking assistance from the best auto mechanic shop is ideal.
Wrapping Up
The convenience of your driving depends a lot on your vehicle’s maintenance. Since you are reading this far, you already know the signs of power loss and the reasons that might be causing it. However, it is highly imperative to get your car checked and repaired by professional experts.
It is advised to get in touch with Auto Repair Shop, who have a team of the best car mechanic Perth. Your issue can be resolved without any hassle thus increasing your car’s performance.
Also Read: Tips that Can Give Your Car a Happier and Healthier Engine