Professional Auto Diagnosis and Repair Available

When a vehicle won’t accelerate reliably, it can create a dangerous situation for the driver who might need to speed up to avoid an accident. Unreliable acceleration typically is due to one or more of a few key components of a vehicle, and is an issue which should be addressed immediately by a trained auto expert. As one of the leading providers of car repair and service in the San Jose area, our team has gained an excellent reputation over the years for providing lasting repairs and customer-focused service. We have longtime technicians who are experienced in performing all types of repairs on various makes and models of vehicles, even foreign cars. While all cars can experience acceleration issues, we have seen hesitation occur multiple times in a Nissan Altima. Altimas are popular, stylish, practical, and generally reliable, but some trim levels and year models can be susceptible to these issues. Read on to learn the most common reasons why an Altima might experience hesitation during acceleration, and how we can help. Transmission Problems Many modern vehicles, including the Altima, are powered by a Continuously Variable Transmission rather than a traditional transmission system. What this means is the vehicle accelerates at a uniform pace rather than shifting manually or automatically. While a CVT system improves efficiency and can cause fewer issues, it is not perfect. The CVT system in an Altima must be getting the right amount of transmission fluid, the components (pulleys and the transmission belt) must be properly function and free of debris, and the software which governs the system must be working correctly in order for the car to accelerate reliably and smoothly. A problem at any point of the CVT can cause uneven acceleration. In our experience, a CVT issue is the most likely culprit of acceleration issues. Nissan even extended transmission warranties in some year models due to frequent problems. Fuel Injection Issues A vehicle must receive fuel to the engine in order to accelerate, and if there is a problem with the fuel system the car might hesitate or misfire. Like the transmission system, fuel injection is regulated in a vehicle through sensors and the car’s computer system. An issue with the electronics can cause acceleration problems. On the hardware side, spark plugs failing, engine misfires, and/or a clogged fuel filter can all contribute to hesitation or rough acceleration. Expert Diagnosis and Repair Available While transmission and fuel issues are most likely to cause acceleration issues, other problems can’t be ruled out. When a car visits our shop with this issue, we take the time to perform a total diagnosis. This includes a full computer diagnostic and expert analysis of the physical condition of the vehicle. In the case of Altimas, we have several technicians who have worked with Nissan vehicles for many years and they can provide a timely and full diagnosis of the problem. Once our client understands and agrees to the repair plan, we can fix most issues quickly and provide a complete, lasting repair.