Q: Car not going even with gas pedal all the way down

asked by on January 28, 2016

I press my gas pedal all the way to the floor, but the car won't go.

If by "won’t go" you mean the car doesn’t have any acceleration, then the vehicle could be misfiring to a point of failure. If multiple cylinders are misfiring all at the same motor won’t expel enough power to efficiently move the car forward. Misfire conditions can be caused by anything from the wrong amount of fuel, spark in the ignition system, or lack of air to the motor. Mechanical issues can also cause misfire condition such as the wrong timing or damaged components like pistons, valves, etc. If the motor runs well but the vehicle just won’t move, you need to look into the transmission and the differential because of the clutches are slipping power can’t transfer through to the wheels causing your car to stay stationary. Have an inspection performed by a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, in order to find the true problem.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

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


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car not staying in gear
Hi. You did not mention if you had an automatic or manual transmission. This can be caused by two different problems. The first cause could be that the transmission mounts allow movement of the transmission and knocks it out of...
The dealership just replaced the condenser and expansion tube in my truck and now my engine is running at 220- 225 degrees.
The engine will run hotter with the A/C running and the heat from the condenser through the radiator. You may want to make sure the cooling system is serviced with fresh coolant (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/top-off-coolant) and the engine fan clutch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fan-clutch-replacement) is...
My harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley broke in my 1996 3000GT. When installing new one, I noticed that part of the drive belt tha
Hi there. Absolutely, there is a chance that there could be a damaged timing belt or it has jumped time. However, there is also the possibility that the debris has damaged the crank/cam position sensors. With a capable scan tool/...
Engine revs up and down when in park and sometimes in drive/reverse; have replaced IAC valve, and the map sensor 1998 Honda Prelude
Hi there - the P0505 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0505-obd-ii-trouble-code-idle-control-system-malfunction-by-jay-safford) code you are getting indicates a problem with the idle air control circuitry. Since you have replaced the IAC valve, this could still be a problem with the connectors or wiring to the IAC....
Went out to start my 2001 E 320 turned the key and there was a loud snapping noise like a short circuit. Now the instruments stil
Hi there. It's actually a problem with vehicles over 10 to 15 years of age in general. What typically occurs is that the ignition relay will be come damaged after years of continual wear and tear. This is most likely...
My 2014 ford focus whenni hit the lock button on my remote the beep does not sound and the horn does not work either.
Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle has a fuse that is specifically for the horn, and you are going to want to check that first. If the fuse is blown, it is a simple fix in which you...
Car doors lock but won't unlock?
If you requested a mechanic from YourMechanic, what they would do is use the diagram of the circuit from the Factory Service Manual to trace the circuit. The circuit is relatively limited. If you push the unlock button to complete...
My air vents smell like coolant when I just run the air. In the morning I turned it on and a little bit of smoke came out with the
Hi Chris. Thanks for contacting us today. Usually, when you smell coolant from the vents, it's caused by a coolant leak near the heater core. It could be the core itself, a coolant hose or a hose connection that has...
Engine stalls during acceleration, around 60 mph
Among common possibilities for the loss of power you are describing are throttle body faults (electronic throttle controls, throttle position sensor, mass airflow sensor, torn air intake hose), worn out spark plugs, faulty fuel pump or restricted fuel system, plugged...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Dog Trainer
If If you are a dog trainer, you expect a lot from your vehicle. You want a ride that is safe, roomy, and of course, dog friendly, since your training operation will often mean that you need to transport the...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Skier
When When summer ends, skiers start thinking about hitting the hills, and that means having to contend with winter driving conditions. Not just any vehicle is going to get the job done. We have evaluated several used ski-worthy vehicles, and...
Top Automotive News & Stories: September 24-September 30
Angry Civic Type R, 350 special edition Ferraris, Infiniti variable compression tech, Mercedes' electric future, and more.