What Causes Your Mercedes-Benz To Jerk When Accelerating?

The engine is supposed to generate the mechanical torque required to keep your car in motion. To do that it needs a steady supply of air-fuel mixture. Besides, ignition or spark generation timing also has a significant influence on engine performance.

The engine control module or ECM works together with the ignition, fuel delivery, and air intake system to make sure that your Mercedes-Benz engine is operating without any hassle. However, if its engine doesn’t get the desired amount of air-fuel mixture or its spark plugs are not firing properly, you would encounter all sorts of drivability problems like jerking when accelerating.

If your Mercedes-Benz jerks when you are accelerating, it could simply mean you’re about to run out of fuel. It could also mean that something bad has happened to the engine. If left unaddressed, it could damage your Mercedes-Benz engine beyond repair. So, reason behind such a strange engine behaviour has to be identified and repaired.

Here’s a list of some of the most plausible explanations for car jerking when accelerating.

Mercedes-Benz jerking when accelerating - Common causes

Clogged fuel injectors

Fuel injectors are responsible for spraying atomized fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine. The ECU controls the fuel injectors based on the data it has received from numerous sensors. However, a clogged or damaged fuel injector won't be able to deliver the requisite amount of fuel to the engine. As a result of this, your Mercedes-Benz engine would starve for fuel and it would start jerking when you accelerate.

Blocked fuel line

Your Mercedes-Benz engine needs a continuous supply of fuel to generate your desired acceleration. The fuel delivery system has to work harder to keep up with the engine's fuel demand. Having said that, sludge accumulation within the fuel line can interrupt the fuel supply. It would make your car engine starve for fuel. As a result of which your Mercedes-Benz engine would run rough and hesitate to accelerate. It's also important to note that having a clogged fuel filter can cause a similar problem.

Dirty engine air filter

An air filter is supposed to prevent the contaminants like dust and debris from entering the engine. Sooner or later, it becomes dirty and loses its filtration ability. A dirty or clogged air filter can obstruct the air supply which would imbalance the air-to-fuel ratio within the combustion chamber of the engine. When that happens, your Mercedes-Benz engine would struggle to stay operational. In some cases, it would start jerking when you press the gas pedal.

Flawed intake-exhaust manifold

The pressure difference between the exhaust and intake manifold essentially helps the engine breathe smoothly. If the exhaust or intake manifold starts leaking, it would disturb that process and make it difficult for your car engine to breathe properly. So, if your Mercedes-Benz is jerking when accelerating, you should check if its intake and exhaust manifold are in good shape or not.

Bad spark plugs

Spark plugs are responsible for generating electric sparks to ignite the air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber of the engine. Ignition or induction coil converts the low voltage electric power of the battery to thousands of volts. The spark plug uses this high voltage electric current to create electric sparks. However, worn-out or damaged spark plugs won't be able to fire properly. It would make the engine run rough and jerks when accelerating.

Clogged catalytic converter

The catalytic converter of your car is responsible for converting toxic substances of the exhaust emissions to less harmful substances. However, a clogged or damaged catalytic converter would block the flow of exhaust gases in your car. When that happens, your Mercedes-Benz engine won't be able to breathe properly which would be reflected in its engine's performance. So, if your Mercedes-Benz is jerking whenever you're pressing the gas pedal, there's a good chance its catalytic converter is clogged.

Malfunctioning sensors

The oxygen sensor, mass airflow sensor, and numerous other sensors aid the ECU to regulate different aspects of the engine operation. However, faulty sensors would provide misguided data to the ECU which would ultimately affect your Mercedes-Benz's engine operation. Moreover, inaccurate data provided by malfunctioning sensors can imbalance the air-fuel ratio within the combustion chamber which would make the engine run lean or rich. As a result of which, you might not be able to get your desired acceleration.

Mercedes-Benz jerking when accelerating - How to fix it?

Clogged fuel injectors and worn-out spark plugs are some of the most common explanations behind car jerking. Sometimes, the problem lies deep within the engine. If left unaddressed, it can damage your car engine beyond repair. So, if your Mercedes-Benz jerks when accelerating, you should take it to the nearest auto repair shop to diagnose and fix the problem.

Sum up

An internal combustion engine is designed to convert heat energy into useful mechanical work. In other words, it makes your car move. If it fails, you would experience all sorts of drivability issues like stalling and jerking. So, do the needful to identify and fix the problem ASAP.