My car engine has a high noisy rpm when it starts. Every time I shift to drive or reverse, the car would jerk. To avoid that, I have to wait until the rpm settles at idling speed. If I stopped the car for five minutes, I have to start it again in the same way, regardless of engine temperature. What is the problem?

Paul Serb

It is normal for the engine rpm to be at higher speeds if the engine temperature is cold as this help to speed up the warming-up of the engine to reach the operating temperature.

Once the engine has warmed up, the rpm should settle at idling speed, which is around 800rpm.

If the engine rpm is still high after re-start even when the engine has warmed up, the idle speed sensor or some other temperature sensors could be faulty.

The big jerk when shifting to forward/reverse could be due to the torque converter lock up at high rpm thus producing momentum and causing the big jerk.

Do send the car to the agent or a competence workshop to get it diagnose.

Automobile Association of Singapore