Monthly Archives: December 2025

Why Does My Car Jerk When I Shift From Park to Drive?

Why Does My Car Jerk When I Shift From Park to Drive?

That sudden jolt when you move the shifter from Park to Drive can be pretty unsettling. Sometimes it feels like the whole car lurches, other times, you hear a sharp clunk along with the movement. Even if the car still drives, that kind of behavior usually means something in the drivetrain is taking up too much slack or engaging harder than it should. What “Jerking” From Park to Drive Feels Like Drivers describe this problem in a few different ways. You might feel a single, solid bump right as you select Drive, as if someone lightly tapped the back of the car. In other cases, the car may roll slightly, then suddenly catch with a jolt when the gear engages. Sometimes the jerk is strongest after the vehicle has been sitting for a while or first thing in the morning, and it can be milder once everything warms up. If you also hear a clunk, thud, or metallic knock in that moment, it is a strong sign that there is extra play somewhere in the transmission, moun ... read more

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