Close-up on an engine

Why is My Vehicle Experiencing Poor Performance?

What to Do if Your Car is Running Worse than Usual

Drivers may notice that after an extended period of time with their vehicle out on the road, it doesn’t run as well as it should. Performance issues can take a variety of forms, but the almost result in worse ride quality, sluggish response time and poor acceleration. Interested in learning what to do if your car is running worse than usual? We’ve put together a list of common performance issues and their probable causes to help you diagnose the issue.


Read More: Find a Comfortable, Spacious Nissan SUV in the Dayton, OH Area


There are several symptoms and warning signs of a failing or degraded powertrain that drivers should be mindful of while on the road. Some of these can be more obvious than others, such as unusual or excessive noise, engine stalling or unusual odors while the vehicle is turned on. Other signs of a problematic engine include sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy.

Common Causes of a Failing or Degraded Engine


Modern engine systems are made up of a variety of intricate parts and components that all play a role in determining a vehicle’s overall performance. When even one of these components starts to fail, it can result in significant engine issues. Probable causes of a vehicle’s performance issues include:

  • Low Compression
  • Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
  • Dirty or Clogged Fuel Filter
  • Bad Fuel Injectors
  • Bad Spark Plugs
  • Clogged Exhaust Pipe
  • Oxygen Sensor Malfunction
  • Weakened Fuel Pump
  • Degraded Ignition Coil
Engine internal mechanics

Experiencing performance issues with your vehicle? Located in or around Dayton, OH? Schedule a service appointment today with Matt Castrucci Nissan. Our team of expert technicians will be happy to identify and address whatever issue is having an impact on your vehicle.