Driving smoothly around corners is enjoyable. However, having your car lose power while driving and precisely while turning a corner can be a scary experience for any driver. Besides, it’s dangerous for you, other drivers, and their cars. While most drivers attribute such an issue to not having enough fuel in their cars, it can be caused by other mechanical issues.
Let’s explore the possible causes of a car losing power when turning corners and possible solutions.
Reason a Car Losses Power While Turning Corners
Faulty or clogged air filter
The air filter is one of the key components that helps your car drive smoothly and deliver great performance. It gives the engine the air it needs to breathe and generate power. Additionally, it prevents debris and grit from entering the combustion chamber, which could prevent outstanding performance.
Therefore, when an air filter is damaged or clogged, it doesn’t perform its function effectively; less air gets into the engine. As a result, the engine tends to lose power while turning corners or trying to get your car up to speed.
Possible Solution
For most cars, it’s recommended you replace your air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. However, cleaning between replacements can enhance your car’s performance, including preventing power loss while driving.
Faulty power steering system
If some components of your power steering system are faulty, your car’s engine may easily lose power or stall. For instance, when you have low steering fluid levels, the air gets sucked into the steering pump, which draws power from the engine. Therefore, when you turn the wheel (as you corner), the pump puts excess stress on the engine and causes it to lose power. It could stall the engine to some extent, specifically at low rpm.
Possible Solution
While it’s easy to notice when you have power steering problems, it’s not easy to diagnose the exact problem you might be dealing with. Therefore, getting a professional to repair your car correctly is good. However, you can do minor repairs, such as changing the power steering fluid.
Weak fuel pump and defective fuel injectors
The fuel pump supplies or pump fuel/gas from the fuel tank to the engine’s carburetor or fuel injection by creating high pressure in the fuel lines. When the fuel pump isn’t powerful enough, it can’t send fuel under high pressure; thus, the fuel injectors won’t spray the right amount of fuel into the chamber. As a result, you’re likely to experience unnecessary power drops even at low speeds as you turn corners.
Also, defective fuel injectors, such as clogged fuel injectors, may cause a car to lose power when you accelerate. Such fuel injectors can’t spray adequate fuel into the engine; thus, the car can’t produce enough power.
Possible Solution
You can easily fix fuel pump issues without a replacement but as a temporary solution. This process also requires you to know exactly what you’re doing. However, the best approach to this process is to have a mechanic check your fuel pump. Besides, if the problem is major, consider a replacement to enhance your car’s performance.
Faulty spark plugs
If your spark plugs are worn out, not properly installed, or don’t match that specific engine’s specification, they will contribute to the loss of power in a car. It’s because they can’t fire properly (it causes misfires). Additionally, you’re likely to experience slow acceleration.
Possible Solution
You can clean spark plugs to fix the issue. Also, it’s possible to repair damaged threads. However, the best solution is to do a replacement.
Transmission problems
Certain transmission problems in your car easily cause your car to lose power while driving through corners or going uphill. For instance, transmission fluid is essential regardless of your car’s transmission type. It lubricates and cools the transmission. Additionally, it helps provide hydraulic pressure, which helps in changing gears. Therefore, when you have low transmission fluid, you’re more likely to experience delayed gear engagement when you try to accelerate while turning corners.
Worn-out bands or torque converters can also cause a car to lose power.
Possible Solution
Most of the transmission problems can be fixed if detected early and can easily prevent expensive repairs in the future. Depending on your car model, you can easily check the transmission fluid’s level using a dipstick. Check regularly to ensure it’s not on low levels or old. More importantly, you can have a mechanic inspect your car as they look for other transmission issues, including leaks, worn torque converters, etc.
Tires are on low pressure
Tire pressure affects your car’s performance in various ways, and loss of power is one of them. Usually, when the tire pressure is low, there is more drag, making it feel like you’re losing power when turning corners as you try to accelerate. Besides, under-deflated tires impact your car’s fuel efficiency because the drag needs more energy to get your car in proper and full motion while driving.
Possible Solution
You can always check your tire pressure before taking any trip. Use a tire pressure gauge to monitor your tire pressure. However, if you detect air leaks on your tire, consider a repair as soon as possible if it’s minor but a replacement if it’s a major hole.
Final Thought
Above are the common problems that can cause a car to lose power while turning corners. Some are easy and cheap to fix, while others are pretty expensive to repair. However, detecting such issues early and taking the necessary actions is the best approach to keeping your car running smoothly and preventing costly repairs in the future. More importantly, you can avoid such problems and maintain your car’s performance at peak by doing regular maintenance practices.
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