Q: car sputters as I accelerate. Check engine light is on.
Acceleration isn’t as strong as it could be. Coming home today as I pulled into my complex, my car started to rattle and sputter as I gave it gas, then the check engine light came on. This isn’t the first time this has happened as before when I got the diagnosis, it came back as a cylinder misfiring. Could this be my spark plugs, or something else ? The last time I had them changed was a good 30000 miles ago.
My car has 120000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Recommended Services
| Car is slow to accelerate Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hi Keith. Thanks for contacting us today. When the check engine light illuminates, it’s due to an OBD-II trouble code being triggered and stored in the ECU. This code will likely lead to the faulty components that are causing the poor acceleration and sputtering you have described. Off the top of my head, there are a few possible sources, such as a mass air flow sensor that is damaged, a throttle body that is clogged with excessive debris, O2 sensors that are damaged, or other components. I think the best way to resolve this issue would be to have a professional mechanic complete an on-site inspection.
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing