Q: There’s a big lag with the throttle

asked by on November 06, 2015

Either right after stopping or right after hard braking, my 2013 Mazda CX-5 will lag for a second or two before power is delivered. Not sure if it’s an engine problem or an automatic transmission problem. How does this happen to a car with 8,000 miles on it? This has to be a defect unless it’s some weird feature that I can turn off in the computer or something. What should I do to diagnose this?

Hello, being a drivability issue it will require some diagnosis with a technician. If you can demonstrate it to the technician it would aid in diagnosis. It sounds like you might have low fluid level based on how you say it occurs. The car would need to be scanned for codes and if any are present it will give the technician a direction to go in. Without codes it’s a bit more difficult. After checking for codes the transmission fluid level should be checked to make sure it’s full. If that all checks out then Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 05-002/15) might apply to perform checks to the valve body of the transmission and perform a flushing procedure.

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

RPMs near zero
It seems like your car is experiencing a stalling issue. The engine will need to be checked for proper vacuum and idle control valve function as these are common faults for this type of problem. I recommend having a certified...
After new distributor and testing, car won't start
Confirm the basics first: Does it have spark at the plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement)? Does it have compression? Are the injectors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-injector-replacement) firing with proper fuel pressure? One (or more) of these is failing you, and will instruct the correct diagnostic path....
Truck idles poorly, starts jumping
There are numerous potential causes for the symptoms you are having. The first thing that comes to mind is a vacuum leak (unmetered air allowing the engine). Vacuum leaks are noticeable at idle and not under load while accelerating. There...
code p0446
Hi there. A P0446 (evaporative emissions system gross leak detected-Toyota defined meaning) sets when there is a fault detected in the evaporative system. The evaporative system is an emissions system responsible for preventing the leakage of fuel vapor into the...
What could make a car stop running in the middle of driving it?
Hi there. From the description you provided, your vehicle stalling once, could of been caused by variety of reasons. A temporary glitch in any of the vehicle's systems that keep it running. Unfortunately, something like this would be very difficult...
Clicking noise when I crank my car after a cold start. It goes away after the car idles down and warms up
Hello. There are 2 possibilities for this clicking sound. First, you may need to have the valves adjusted. They may be a tad loose with your mileage. The recommended interval for a valve adjustment for this engine is every 105K...
Cylinder 2 injector control circuit Renault Scenic 2
Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic. The code P0202 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0202-obd-ii-trouble-code-injector-circuit-malfunction-cylinder-2-by-spencer-clayton) is what shows for a cylinder that has lost connectivity to an injector. Either the injector (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-injector-replacement) has failed or the injector wiring harness has an issue. Check the cylinder...
My speedometer doesnt work what could be the problem
Hi there. A speedometer is controlled by a few different components including the speedometer cable, speed sensor on the transmission and wheel sensors. Any one or multiple parts can fail, leading to the speedometer to fail. It's probably a good...
I have a 1997 nissan maxima that has a misfire code of p0300 and p0302.
It's common to find the source of a misfire in the ignition system. Checking the coils with an Ohmmeter doesn't really tell you much though. When I diagnose a misfire, sometimes I find it helpful to swap the coils and...

Related articles

How Long Do Brake Rotors Last?
Brake rotors, sometimes called discs, are an important component of the braking system on any vehicle. The brake rotors are the part of...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM)
Common signs include the ABS or Check Engine Lights coming on and the ABS or traction control systems malfunctioning.
How Do I Prepare My Car for the Rainy Season?
Rain Rain doesn’t typically require making major modifications to your car, but following a few precautions at the start of any rainy season can make driving easier and safer. Check your tire tread to detect wear: Try the penny test....