Volvo is a durable European automobile that is known for its premium engineering. The vehicle is designed with drivers’ safety in mind and to give car owners the best driving experience on the road. As a Volvo car owner, having total control of your Volvo is important to your safety as you drive on the road, so it can be startling (and terrifying) when your Volvo suddenly accelerates on its own while driving or when trying to come to a halt.
In recent years, there have been multiple incidences of unexpected acceleration in the United States, and while these events are rare, the consequences are often severe. Although the majority of the reported unexpected acceleration incidents haven’t been substantiated, many drivers have reported a loss of braking ability during a forced acceleration.
However, most car makers have put in place measures to prevent unintended acceleration, and when it does occur, it’s typically due to driver mistakes.
What exactly is Sudden Forced Acceleration?
Sudden forced acceleration is a malfunction that occurs when the car increases its acceleration without the driver’s input. This sudden acceleration can be caused by a lot of factors which we’ll mention below.
What Factors Contribute to Acceleration Issues?
In most instances, sudden unintended acceleration is said to happen while the automobile is moving. As previously stated, there has been much debate as to why this might occur; in most investigations, driver error is usually proven to be the reason for this.
The issue arises when a driver steps on the throttle instead of the brakes. By being careful of where you step, you may easily prevent pedal misapplication, which is said to be the common cause of sudden acceleration.
Here are some more things to know about unexpected acceleration:
- If you have a cable-operated throttle with cruise control, and the car begins to accelerate as you try to slow down, there might be an issue with your brake input to the cruise control system.
- If you accelerate forcefully and discover that your accelerator has been trapped beneath the floor mat, quickly adjust the floor mat.
- When using a cable-equipped throttle, the throttle plate can become stuck in the throttle body because of sludge, and the pedal can feel quite firm and unyielding during acceleration. Also, the vehicle may experience uncontrolled acceleration if the car is in reverse when your foot pressure is increased.
What To Do If You Find Your Volvo With Forced Acceleration
Unintentional acceleration is manageable regardless of the source, but you must maintain your calm. When driving and your automobile suddenly speeds out of control, what are you going to do?
- Avoid turning off the engine; otherwise you’ll lose steering and brakes, which you need to bring your Volvo to a halt and navigate off the road safely.
- Ensure that your foot is on the brake pedal and not throttle— this is the most repeated driver error.
- To stop the vehicle from moving forward, switch the transmission to neutral or compress the clutch. Don’t be scared if the engine begins to race, as if it’s about to burst from beneath the hood.
- If your brakes fail, use the emergency brake to slow your vehicle down.
- As the automobile begins to slow, pull over to the side of the road. Turn off the engine once you’ve brought the car to a safe halt.
- Set the parking brake, shift into the park, and get out of the car.
Get Help For Volvo With Forced Acceleration
Your Volvo vehicle should be kept in top condition to avoid forced acceleration when driving. Maintaining your automobile 
will also help to ensure that you enjoy all of the advantages of having a premium European vehicle like Volvo.
When you bring your vehicle to us at Carotech Automotive, you are sure of getting the best service possible. We serve our clients in Los Angeles, CA, with the highest quality automotive service for Volvo vehicles. Our highly skilled automotive technicians have years of expertise dealing with Volvos, so you can be confident that your car is in capable hands.
If you sense acceleration fumbling in your Volvo, please contact one of our friendly specialists to schedule an inspection or a periodic maintenance plan.
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