Why does my Hyundai Elantra feel sluggish and have poor acceleration in city traffic?

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Why does my Hyundai Elantra feel sluggish and have poor acceleration in city traffic?

I drive a 2017 Hyundai Elantra in Lahore, and lately the car feels heavy and struggles to accelerate, especially in slow traffic. The engine seems fine otherwise. Could this be due to a clogged air filter? How often should filters be cleaned o r replaced in Pakistan?

Gari Specialist asked on 10 Jul 2025 16:06:38 pm

1 Answer

17 views |

Gari Master - on 10 Jul 2025 16:09:46 pm

If your Elantra feels sluggish and struggles with acceleration, especially in traffic-heavy areas like Lahore o r Karachi, a clogged air filter is a likely cause. In Pakistan’s polluted and dusty urban environment, the air filter can become dirty much faster than the global average.

A clogged air filter reduces the amount of clean air entering the engine, which affects combustion and reduces power output. Common symptoms include:

Poor acceleration

Rough engine idle

Increased fuel consumption

Check engine light in some cases

Recommendation:
Check o r replace the air filter every 10,000 to 15,000 km, o r even sooner if you frequently drive in dusty areas. Hyundai Elantra air filters are easily accessible and can be replaced at home with basic tools.