Q: Loss of power when accelerating - 2012 Chevrolet Aveo LT

asked by on November 12, 2016

Hi, I was just on my home from work which is about a 45 minute drive from where I live. About 10 minutes left on my journey and I go to over take a bus that is pulling into a bus stop when suddenly my engine light and traction like come on as I accelerate. The car had little pull and was jerking a little bit, as soon as I get to the speed limit and stop accelerating the lights go off and the car feels fine. When I popped the bonnet when I got home, there was no engine coolant in the tank, as I slowly opened it the fluid came rushing out near the top of the tank and then went down to a normal level. Any ideas why this is happening and what I can do to fix it? It's a 2012 Chevrolet Aveo lt (would t let me specify what model) thanks

My car has 50000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Check Engine Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Loss of power Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. Be sure to never open the cooling system while the engine is hot. The difference in pressure between the inside of the system and atmospheric pressure will always cause the hot coolant to boil out and may cause harm. No coolant in the reservoir does not always mean the system is empty, but may be a sign there is a leak.

The Check Engine Light came on and went off, but this would have stored a fault code in the engine’s computer; having this code read may shed some light on the issue. A failed ignition coil, broken spark plug or wire, or a failed sensor may be the cause, but that will be determined by the technician you have look over the vehicle.

I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to determine why the Check Engine Light came on and why car lost power during acceleration.

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

What does the Low Oil Pressure light mean?
The Low Oil Pressure light on your dash looks like a small oil can, and it should light up under very specific circumstances. Here’s what you need to know: The light should come on briefly when you crank the engine....
Still getting error codes
The codes you have for your GMC Yukon, p0171 and p0174, are informing you that the engine is running lean. This means that there is unmetered air entering the engine after the mass airflow sensor and is disturbing the air/fuel...
Can front wheel drive car engine power rear wheel drive
Anything is possible with enough engineering. The changes you are looking at would take major structural changes and would definitely not be an easy job. You could possibly consult a manufacturing engineer to get more details on how this could...
Top radiator hose is cold while the lower is hot
You may be correct that the thermostat is stuck closed. One way to test a thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-thermostat) is to put it in a pot of water and bring the water temperature up to the thermostat opening temperature. This is imprinted...
P2107 - 2005 Ford Freestyle
Hello. P2107 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p2107-obd-ii-trouble-code-throttle-actuator-control-module-processor-by-spencer-clayton) is the code for an issue with the vehicle's throttle control module processor. Basically, the computer has detected an issue with the vehicle's electronic throttle body and has put the vehicle in safe mode. The throttle body...
My car overheated with smoke coming out, I found antifreeze all over the engine and the temperature gauge was high
This can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement), or a failing coolant fan switch. As you may know, the coolant fan switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/cooling-fan-relay-replacement) helps to maintain the proper coolant temperature...
Hello, my supplemental restraint system light came on. What does that mean?
Hello. The supplement restraint system, SRS for short, is the vehicle's airbag system. Most vehicles come equipped with an SRS airbag system that will deploy to protect the passengers in the event of a collision. The SRS system is computer...
I can't get through in your telephone line to ask if I can leave my keys and have a mechanic work on my vehicle without being here
Hi....I have referred this to customer service and they will call you promptly to address your concern. If you leave the keys with another household member, that is fine. Obviously do not leave the keys in the car. During the...
Power Steering fluid change
Hi Patel. Thanks for the question today. I think this video is closer to what you should complete (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcCXyAALCI) in regards to the correct procedure for flushing the power steering fluid. With the replacement of the fluid reservoir, the video...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Toyota Venza
The The 2012 Toyota Venza offers the best combination of the SUV and a sedan. It has ample headroom and legroom so passengers are comfortable for long rides, while offering a four-cylinder front-wheel drive version or V6 option all-wheel drive...
P0454 OBD-II Trouble Code: Evaporative Emission Control System Pressure Sensor Intermittent
P0454 means there is an issue with the evaporative emission control system due to faulty fuel cap, solenoid, or broken hoses, canister, or vacuum.
P0492 OBD-II Trouble Code: Secondary Air Injection System Insufficient Flow Bank
P0492 means there is a problem with the secondary air injection system, often due to intake leaks or faulty one-way check valves.