Yes, Speed Auto Repair advises that a dirty mass airflow sensor can affect how well your vehicle accelerates. Also called the MAF sensor, this auto part measures the air that flows into the engine. If it malfunctions and reports too little or too much air, your vehicle’s main computer chip will make an unnecessary adjustment to the fuel and air in the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, too much air will make the acceleration lag. This is just one problem caused by a faulty MAF sensor.
Roughness to the Engine’s Idle
Too much air will also make your engine idle roughly. In severe cases, you may end up with a stalled engine because the idle is so rough. The reason why the acceleration lags in the idle suffers is that the engine is operating in a fuel-starved condition. It needs more fuel to run smoothly.
Various Performance Issues
You may also notice lagging in your engine’s performance while you are driving. All of these things indicate that the combustion chamber is stuffed with air. This being said, the faulty MAF sensor may also convince the main computer chip that your engine needs more fuel when it doesn’t really need it. When this happens, your engine will pick up speed as it burns away the excess fuel.
Reduction in the Fuel Economy
Naturally, burning away the fuel is going to reduce the fuel economy, but when the engine is struggling with too much air, it also burns excess fuel in an effort to produce power. Consequently, the dirty MAF sensor is going to reduce the fuel economy that your vehicle gets.
Black Engine Exhaust Smoke
Another sign that the engine is burning too much fuel is black exhaust smoke coming out of the tailpipe. In severe cases, you may have a ton of exhaust coming out of the tailpipe.
Difficulty Starting the Vehicle
The malfunctioning MAF sensor can also make it difficult to start your automobile. The reason why is what we have discussed above. The main computer chip has made unnecessary adjustments in the combustion chamber and this affects the engine’s ability to produce combustion.
Check Engine Warning Light
Finally, the main computer chip will turn on the check engine light to alert you that the engine is not operating as it should be. Unfortunately, this light will stay on until we clean the MAF sensor.
Speed Auto Repair in Alpharetta or Roswell, GA, is here to help, so call us today to set up a service appointment for your automobile.