Injection engines

Why Does My Car Lose Power?

Why Does My Car Lose Power?

Is your car losing power? In most cases, a loss of engine power is related to a mechanical failure in your vehicle. However, a loss of power may also be due to an external factor such as high temperatures or other climate issues. Working out why your car is not always easy, so we should consider all the possibilities. We also need to look at the circumstances when your car loses power to help determine the problem.

If your car loses power while you are driving, there may be a variety of different reasons why. In this oneHOWTO article we'll help you diagnose your car's problem yourself, offering a number of possible answers to explain why does your car loses power and giving you some tips on how to fix the problem.

You may also be interested in: Why Is My Car Engine Light On

Contents

  1. Fuel injector problems
  2. If your engine has a turbocharger
  3. AC system draining power
  4. Cooling system draining power
  5. Error with the ECU (electronic control unit)
  6. Catalytic converter blockage
  7. Fuel filter problems
  8. Is your diesel engine losing power?
  9. Fuel tank problems
  10. Other reasons why your car is losing power

Fuel injector problems

Your car may lose power if an injector has poor contact with the internal combustion engine. If this is the cause of the problem, you may also notice an exaggerated vibration in the motor. The fuel injector is an appropriate name for a car part which injects fuel into the engine. The fuel needs to travel from the tank into the cylinder where it is burned and the energy it creates is used to propel the car.

Fuel passes through the injector, but so too does dirt and debris which may get caught up in the engine system. As a result, the fuel injectors will often become clogged and dirty. A dirty fuel injector is one of the most common reasons for a car losing power when accelerating. When we accelerate, we send fuel to the engine. If the injector is clogged, the reaction may be that the car loses power.

We recommend that you maintain these parts well. It can be done by a mechanic, but you can also learn how to do it by yourself by reading our article how to clean a fuel injector at home. If the fuel injector is damaged for another reason, then they will need replaced. This can be done at home, but it's a bit tricky, so go to a mechanic if you don't have much experience.

Why Does My Car Lose Power? - Fuel injector problems

If your engine has a turbocharger

If your car's model is among those which have a turbo engine or turbocharger, something that is increasingly common, you may find that this element is the reason why your car loses power when you drive. Turbochargers work by pushing extra compressed air into the engine which, in turn, causes greater acceleration.

It may be that a tube connector of the turbo engine is damaged, it is simply dirty or it has been poorly adjusted. This fault can also occur because the valve that regulates the turbo does not work properly. Here you can learn how to maintain a turbo diesel engine. Again, this is a problem which will make your car lose power when accelerating as there may not be enough fuel received in the cylinder and he car losing power is the result.

Turbochargers are very specific and will need a professional to take a look and diagnose the problem. However, since turbochargers need oil to function, check the oil levels as a precaution.

Why Does My Car Lose Power? - If your engine has a turbocharger

AC system draining power

If you turn on the air conditioning system when you drive, your car will likely lose power. You will notice this especially when you go on a long road trip or use a city car on open roads. If you are overtaking while going uphill and have the air conditioning on, you will notice how the engine can feel like it is losing power.

There is no need to worry. The car's engine is used to propel the car forward, but it only provides power to other functions in the car. Be aware that the air conditioning system will use of some of this power and, therefore, take it away from the driving mechanism. It shouldn't matter whether the car is accelerating or driving normally.

Here you can learn how to clean your car's AC system, how to recharge it at home, and how to get rid of bad smell from a car air conditioner.

Why Does My Car Lose Power? - AC system draining power

Cooling system draining power

The cause of your car's power loss could also be an overloaded internal combustion engine cooling system. The cooling system involves various elements, including the radiator and even the coolant. While it might sound like the wrong way round, the radiator is part of the engine's cooling system. If there is a problem such as a blockage, then the engine may overheat. If the engine overheats, then the fans need to work harder and power is therefore taken away from the drive.

The problem doesn't necessarily have to be a blockage. You may have run out of coolant and it needs replaced or you might simply be driving in very high temperatures. In extreme conditions generated by very high external temperatures, the car's fan has to act at peak performance. This takes away power to the rest of the engine equivalent to about 2 hp.

Here you can learn more about why is my car thermostat going up and down.

Why Does My Car Lose Power? - Cooling system draining power

Error with the ECU (electronic control unit)

For cars with an ECU (electronic control unit), an error in this embedded system can cause the car to lose power. In some cases, the car may stop completely.

This fault, which is not easy to solve, often happens because the ECU system detects a mechanical error in the car that doesn't actually exist. Therefore, the ECU gives the command to lose power or stop to the engine in order to prevent an accident although there is no reason to do so.

In most cases, ECU failures get fixed on their own and you will be able to use your car again after half an hour without a problem. However, you should go to a professional to repair the unit so that it does not fail again.

Why Does My Car Lose Power? - Error with the ECU (electronic control unit)

Catalytic converter blockage

If your car loses power when you accelerate, or if it accelerates more slowly than usual, it could be that your catalytic converter may be blocking gases and thus not allowing your car to rev like it should. If you think this is the case, you can learn more about why your car doesn't accelerate properly.

To check if your car is losing power because of the catalytic converter, you'll only need to pay attention for a rattle-like sound when you tap the catalytic converter lightly with a hammer or similar. The blockage in the catalytic converter can be from various places such as dirt in the the fuel line or even parts of the ceramic converter itself coming off. Visit a mechanic if this is the case or clean the catalytic converter by yourself at home.

Fuel filter problems

The catalytic converter filters the exhaust system once the fuel has gone through the engine. However, there are various filters in an internal combustion engine. One of the other most important ones is the fuel filter. When the gas or diesel comes from the fuel tank, it needs to be filtered before it gets to the cylinders. If it doesn't, then it can cause the cylinders to become dirty which affects overall performance and can lead to damage.

A dirty fuel filter is also one of the most common reasons why a car is losing power when accelerating. When you press the accelerator, it sends more fuel through the filter and not as much can get through. Also, a dirty fuel filter is a common reason why your car is blowing white smoke and losing power. The dirt in the cylinders is burned along with the fuel and this causes smoke to come out of the exhaust.

When your car is losing power, it is important you look at other symptoms. By looking at the combinations of problems, we can help to isolate specific problems. It is also possible there are various issues with the engine at any given time.

Is your diesel engine losing power?

While many of the parts of a gas powered car and a diesel powered car are very similar, there are some specific differences which might be leading to a loss in power. Similar to a catalytic converter, diesel engines are required to have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to filter out soot and other particles given off by the engine. If this is blocked or broken, it can be leading to problems with power. Read here if you are not even sure if your car has a DPF.

Fuel tank problems

Your fuel tank will need a breather pipe to allow air to get into the fuel tank. If this is blocked then it can create a vacuum in the fuel tank and make it more difficult for the fuel to go to the engine. It's easy to diagnose this fuel tank problem. Simply open up the fuel cap and listen. If you hear the sound of air rushing in, then you know there is not enough air getting into the fuel tank. The best time to do this just after you feel the car losing power when driving. If you do it when it has been stationary for a while, air might have gone back in.

Other reasons why your car is losing power

If as well as experiencing a loss of power you have noticed that your car jerks or makes a sound like an airplane, we have plenty of other articles to help diagnose your specific issue.

Do you know other reasons why a car loses power? Tell us in the comments section and help out other readers!

If you want to read similar articles to Why Does My Car Lose Power?, we recommend you visit our Car Maintenance and Repair category.

Write a comment

What did you think of this article?
88 comments
Rating:
Nkosana
Got a 1.6 polo model of 2015 ...my car have no power and already have done mini service like to exchange plugs, filter oil, petrol filter and also checked petrol pump it aslo functioning accordingly. So still no power.. My question is what might be the problem of it not having power?
Rating:
Laura Jones
My car lost all power engine light went on oil light went on what could be the cause
Gracia Taylor
Just had transmission fluid put in.and tube up. And car still losing bnb power when going uphill and ac on.. 2012 Chevy Cruse 1.4 Turbo
Rating:
Billy Kingdon
2015 toyota aygo still under warranty. Has an intermittent fault where it loses power when driving, and also won't accelerate or pull away. Also sometimes if you stall it doesn't restart, and when it does it won't rev for several minutes. Toyota main dealer say nothing is wrong, but the car is almost undriveable!
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Billy,

It is very hard to diagnose without being in front of the car, but it sounds like it could be a problem with the starter motor. The Toyota Aygo is generally a fairly sound car with little specific problems related to the 2015 model. However, we have heard of starter problems in older models. If you know how to listen out for the solenoid, it could help. This is what sends electrical current to the starter. If you can't hear it, this is likely the problem. Here is some more info you can read:

https://motor.onehowto.com/article/symptoms-of-bad-failing-starter-12605.html

It depends on your warranty, but if your car is under warranty and you have a problem, you should be able to press the dealer on the matter (although always be polite, rudeness rarely helps in these discussions). We can't guarantee the starter is the problem, but if it is, then it would explain why it is malfunctioning at some points and not others.

We hope this is helpful!
RONNIE
My car lose power, when am at the stop light with the AC on.
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Ronnie,

Have you been able to consider the possibilities listed in the article?
Jerry D Frerichs
I have a 2009 Suzuki Equator. The vehicle would not go faster than 10 MPH and would not start again after I cut off the engine. The cam sensor and computer box has been changed. It still will not start. The radiator fan will turn.
jim paterson
focus 1.6 2003 drives good on flat road but struggles on hills,have to go down to third and sometimes second and this is with no luggage,pedal to floor
c hind
I have just replaced my glow plugs on my Renault scenic 1'9dci with a shorter one will it affect the engine performance
thabang
my car is a polo 2003 model,the mileage right now is 34000km.it started to loose power lately when atmospheric temperature is very hot and it is travelling long distance.it even stops and after some time to cool off,it then goes well.the temperature sensor says the engine temperature is ok
mo
my car vauxhall zafira 2.2 petrol ,when i start the car first time i got sign car with spanner and i loses power to go ,but when i switch the car off and switch on again the sign car with spanner despair and the car drive normally .anyone know whats the problem.Thanks
Rating:
Ruby Russell
I have a 2004 Volkswagen beetle and just put a new battery in ,, for about a month though whenever I push the gas to go it doesn't wanna go. I tap it and it goes fine.. Some days it doesn't act up.. What could it be
Rating:
SAM
i have a hyundai getz 1.4 2008 its been losing power.i have change the fuel filter in tank.due to every one saying its needing fuel .it ,went great the same day next morning i have no power cant even get the car to move and my foot is flat on fuel
Rating:
Ric
Have a 2005 turbo diesel manual terracan. Recentlty I have noticed vehicle loose power for about half a second then comes good. Not warning lights show. Prior engine had a stutter when idling. Can you advise
Rating:
Rick Grech
My car lost power while driving about 50MPH after driving only about one mile. It would not start at first. It started about 20 minutes later. The engine check light came on and the mechanic indicated the air mass filter needs to be changed. He did not think this was the cause for the car losing all power. What could it be?
JOSEPH
Kindly change your fuel pump and you will be fine
Rating:
wendy
I have a Mercedes c220 & have had a problem with losing power but can't get to the bottom of the problem, it works great then all of a sudden decides to it wants to go on a go slow mode for no reason, I've noticed if I pull over & turn off the engine then start again it's fine & so on.
Rating:
siamalonda clement
what more makes my car with Electronic Control Unit lose power
syma
My car stars fine. Steering wheel a bit stiff but then goes back to normal after driving. My car Aslo feels like it's losing power when breaking at a stop light. It's feel like it's going to stall. Then kicks back in. Clicking noises coming from steering wheel area and my automatic shift.
Rating:
Melanie
I recently purchased a mercedes benz E320. It is a 2003, and check engine light is not on. When driving sometimes it feels like its trying to lose power and now its accelerating slow. It comes and goes it will be driving fine and feels like losing power briefly and then picks up again and drives normally. Any ideas of what could be going on? Thank you
Rating:
Edward Rosado
I have a 2000 I30 Infiniti when I drive my car for a half hour the RPMs rev High and the car starts going slow does anybody know what could be the problem it would be really appreciated for someone to help
Teresa
I had that problem with a vehicle in past it was the fuel injector
Rating:
Edward Rosado
My 2000 I30 Infiniti when I'm driving my RPMs go very high and the car starts driving slow I pull over for 5 minutes shut the car off restart the car and the car runs normal what could be the problem can someone help me out there it would be gladly appreciated
Rating:
martin
insignia rev counter stops car loses power but doesnt stall turn off for a few minutes turn back on seems ok happened three times in last month.
1 of 6
Why Does My Car Lose Power?