Q: Sometimes my car accelerates very slowly but the RPM rises

asked by on October 04, 2016

When driving, if I accelerate very fast the car will operate normally until the change into 2nd gear. When I try to accelerate it feels normal in first gear but then second gear and beyond is where no matter how far down I push the pedal, the car accelerates very slowly. The RPM increases but the engine accelerates very slowly. This happens 10 percent of the time and is random. I think it could be the MAF sensor. Is it a connection issue or do I need a new sensor?

My car has 250000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement $188.36 - $786.53 Get a Quote
Car is slow to accelerate Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. I would recommend first checking the connections to the MAF sensor and cleaning it as sometimes they will get dirty and cause this kind of problem. If this does not work you may need to have it replaced. If you would like to have an expert pinpoint the issue, a qualified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the acceleration problem and proceed with the proper repair.

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

Convertible top not working.
Convertible tops have a few different motors and switches that must all work together or the top just won't work correctly, if it isn't working at all check for a mechanical blockage or maybe a failed fuse, if it isn't...
Vibration inside car
Hello! There are many things that can cause vehicle vibration. Tires and suspension can cause vibration while driving and a misfire or engine mounts can cause a vibration while the vehicle is idling. A qualified technician, such as one of...
Charging System Failure on van
It definitely sounds like you are experiencing a charging issue. The alternator is the component responsible for charging the battery in a vehicle. System voltage needs to be a minimum of 12 volts. Anything less than this could potentially create...
Stalling & sputtering after rain
The engine spark plugs and spark plug wires on your 2001 Ford Escape are most likely arching to the ground and may need to be replaced. Run the engine with the hood up and listen to see if you hear...
Noise when i turn heater on for while to defrost or vents. 2003 Chevy Impala
Hi there, thanks for writing in about your 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The noise you may be hearing is the blend door actuator clicking until the door gets into the position it needs to be in. When these actuators go bad...
Timing chain problem
Hello. This can be caused by a variety of things, timing chain (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/timing-chain-replacement) being one of them. However, there are many other reasons this may also happen, such as a faulty mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement), fuel injection problems (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-injector-replacement),...
The heater doesn't work, defrost works a little, fan doesn't turn on?
Hi there. The blower fan switch not working may be, a blown blower motor fuse (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuse-replacement), a faulty blower motor relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/blower-motor-relay-replacement), a faulty blower resistor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-blower-motor-resistor-replacement), a faulty blower motor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-blower-motor-replacement), and/or a faulty blower motor switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/blower-motor-switch-replacement). Proper...
Car starts but won't catch until I press on the gas while starting
Hi Michelle. Thanks for contacting us today. Usually, this issue is caused by a faulty idle control valve or restriction of fuel flow through the throttle body. A damaged mass air flow sensor, dirty or clogged fuel filter, air filter,...
How do I turn off the anti theift lock on my 2002 Bonneville sle
The anti-theft system cannot be bypassed. If it could everyone would want to do it. You would need to have the system repaired and programmed to enable the system again.

Related articles

How an Automatic Transmission Works
An An automatic transmission allows a vehicle engine to operate within a narrow speed range, just like a manual transmission does. As the engine achieves higher degrees of torque (torque is the rotational power of the engine), the gears in...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Pressure Sensor
Common signs include the Oil Pressure Light coming on or blinking constantly despite oil levels being fine or the oil pressure gauge reading zero.
The Meanings of Automatic Gear Shift Letters & Numbers
A break down “PRNDL” and all its varieties, including D1, D2, and D3 modes.