What Causes Throttle Lag?

Throttle lag is one of the most frustrating things to deal with while driving. If you’re experiencing throttle lag, you may want to know what’s causing it. We’ll go over the most common causes of throttle lag. Next, we’ll show you a good way to improve your car’s throttle response.

Here are the 4 most common issues behind throttle lag:

1. Clogged Fuel Filter

This is a common cause of throttle lag. Have you started noticing a more sluggish throttle response? Your fuel filter may be clogged. Some cars have a fuel pump with a fuel filter built in, usually located in the gas tank. Other cars have a separate fuel filter somewhere in the fuel line.

The fuel filter's job is to remove debris from the fuel before the fuel enters the engine. The dirtier a fuel filter gets, the harder it is for fuel to pass through. This causes a delay in acceleration and throttle response. This issue is so common that many auto technicians check the fuel filter first when they want to find out why a vehicle has a slow throttle response.

2. Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor

Another reason your vehicle's throttle response has suddenly become worse could be a faulty mass airflow sensor. It's located between the air filter and the throttle body. Its job is to track the airflow coming into the engine. It helps regulate the air-fuel ratio in your engine. What happens when the mass airflow sensor malfunctions or fails? The ECU doesn't get the correct information about the amount of air flowing into your engine. Therefore the air-fuel ratio isn't accurate. This means your engine can't perform properly and your car can no longer accelerate as it should.

3. Reduced Fuel Economy

Did you know that when your car's fuel economy goes down, your ECU can modify the acceleration rate? It does that to preserve the functionality of the engine and to save fuel. A sudden decrease in fuel economy is a symptom of many different problems. The ECU likely doesn't know the root of the problem, but it knows that the fuel economy has dropped. It responds by hindering your car's ability to accelerate fast.

Have you noticed a slower throttle response and decreased fuel economy? It may be worth taking the time to find out what caused the decrease in your car's fuel economy. Diagnosing and fixing that issue may restore your car's throttle response.

4. Poorly Engineered Electronic Throttle Control System

There's another quite common cause of throttle lag. It's a poorly engineered electronic throttle control system. Some auto manufacturers don't focus a lot of time on engineering their electronic throttle control systems. This results in vehicles with poor engine response and noticeable throttle lag. Do your fuel filter, mass airflow sensor, and fuel economy all look good? It's likely that your car didn't come with a well-engineered electronic throttle control system.

ShiftPower Throttle Response Controllers Give You Full Control Of Your Car’s Throttle Response

Just because you're experiencing throttle lag doesn't mean you're stuck with it. Did you check (and fix, if applicable) the fuel filter, mass airflow sensor, and fuel economy only to find the throttle response still lacking? There's an easy way to boost our car's throttle response.

All you need to do is install a ShiftPower Throttle Response Controller. It's a plug-and-play device that boosts your car's throttle response. You can choose from seven different modes. Each mode delivers between 15% and 100% quicker throttle response. Read more about ShiftPower Throttle Response Controllers here. Got any questions about it? Please contact us.