Car Shakes At Idle But Smooths Out While Driving – How To Fix This Problem?

Published on: 09 February 2023 Last Updated on: 04 September 2024

You might have noticed some irregularities with your car, like how it’s vibrating more than usual, even while idle. This can happen due to many reasons. Therefore, people should know the reasons behind why their car shakes at idle but smooths out while driving.

If you are looking for the answer to this question, then you have clicked on the correct link. In this post, you will learn why the above effect happens and what needs to be done to solve it.

Why Does Car Shakes At Idle But Smooths Out While Driving And How To Fix This Issue?

If you wish to know why your car shaking while idle, then there can be various reasons for this issue. Therefore, here are some of the most common reasons why your car shakes when idle:

1. The Motor Mounts Are Weak

As you already know, your engine is stored in the car’s engine compartment. This is done with the help of motor mounts that are attached to the engine to keep it in place.

When these mounts become weak, they might fall off one by one. This can create a situation where your car vibrates when idle. You can notice this the most when your car is in neutral.

If it does so, then you better go to a mechanic to get it checked and fixed immediately.

2. Damaged Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are connected to your engine and are responsible for igniting the fuel that goes in it. However, after lots of use, these spark plugs can become greasy due to the accumulation of residue from burnt oil. This can cause the engine to misfire.

Therefore, it’s best to keep in mind that your spark plugs are best replaced after every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. However, if you have a car that has a diesel engine, then there’s no need to worry about this since diesel engines don’t have spark plugs.

3. The Camshaft Timing Chain Is Loose

Many cars have a camshaft timing chain, which helps all the camshafts stay attached to your engine valves and pistons. This can create a problem for you if the timing chain for your camshaft has a loose chain tensioner.

If you don’t get all the hoses of your engine inspected by a mechanic, then your complaint about your car shaking when idle will never cease. This is because it can cause an engine vacuum leak, increasing the pressure inside its cylinders and vibrating your car.

4. Battery Cables Are Loose

Another common reason why your car shakes at idle but smooths out while driving is because of loose battery cables. If you see your car wont start after getting gas, then this might be one of the reasons why.

This can happen if you recently changed your car battery. It can happen if the battery is not correctly connected to the battery cables. After driving around town, there is a chance that your battery cables might become loose, which leads to vibrating cars.

5. The Sensors Are Dirty Or Worn Out

Two primary sensors in your car that are essential for starting it up are – the throttle position and oxygen sensors. Since they are located so close to the engine, they get greased up over time, making them malfunction.

Adjusting the throttle cable a bit too tightly might cause the car to turn even while idle. Also, it makes things rough while driving as your car might speed up irrationally at times.

In the same vein, a dysfunctional oxygen sensor can lead to exhaust malfunctions. This can also be another reason why your car shakes while idle.

6. Faulty Ignition Control Module

Your car’s idleness can be disturbed if there are faults in the ignition control module. Here, your engine might not start since the control module wrongly sends a signal that makes your engine misfire the compression from your cylinders.

You can quickly diagnose this problem if you see your car vibrating on idle, even when you are not pressing the accelerator while in gear.

7. The Gas Cap Is Loose

One of the most common causes of your car shaking on idle is a loose gas cap. If the gas cap is loose, then air can leak inside, pressuring and vacuuming the engine even more. This increase in pressure can cause your engine to shake, even while the car is idle.

Therefore, try checking your fuel cap. Open it yourself and then put it back. If you see the cap is loose, then you have found the main culprit.

8. Malfunctions In The Fuel Intake System

If you see your car shaking when idle, then there is a high chance that the problem probably lies in your fuel intake system. The more you drive your vehicle, the more wear and tear your fuel intake system suffers, leading to blockages and malfunctions.

Obstructions in your fuel intake valves can lead to less fuel going to your engine, which fails to start the engine properly. This leads to vibrations in your engine, which makes your car shake even while idle.

Therefore, ask your mechanic and allow them to implement the use of an OBD2 scanner to find car engine malfunctions. This scanner will quickly pick up any obstructions in the fuel intake system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Here are the answers to some questions that people ask alongside why is my car shaking when idle:

Q1. How Do You Diagnose Engine Vibration?

Ans: To diagnose the reason why your engine is vibrating, you can do the following:
First, place your car in a neutral state.
Slowly start increasing the engine speed to an RPM which makes it vibrate.

Q2. What Reduces Engine Vibration?

Ans: To reduce the vibration of your engine, you can try making the coupling more flexible than before. Here, changing the spring and the damper will work wonders.

Q3. Does Changing Engine Oil Reduce Vibration?

Ans: Yes, changing the engine oil can indeed reduce your engine and car vibration. This will be most noticeable if the engine has not been changed for some time. In addition, this is more prominent in two-wheelers than in four-wheelers.

Conclusion

There are various reasons why your car shakes at idle but smooths out while driving. It can be due to iffy motor mounts, gas caps, damaged spark plugs, and battery cables. In addition, your ignition control system might be faulty as well, alongside worn-out sensors.

In case you faced a similar situation, let me know in the comments below what you did!

Read Also:

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Heavy duty truck is precision instruments. They need to be consistent and reliable because hauling dense material can be dangerous if not done correctly. To keep the precision of these trucks, maintenance is of the utmost priority. Cutting corners on maintenance can result in catastrophic failure and may even result in injury. One of the most crucial maintenance tools for heavy-duty trucks is the alignment equipment. These work like the standard alignment equipment for cars only on the heavier side. Having aligned wheels helps lessen tire to road resistance. It also helps keep the back axles in tandem with the front. This provides more stability and safety for the truck. Adequately aligned wheels have benefits, including speed, fuel efficiency, road stability, and performance. This is why you should have the right tool when investing in heavy duty truck alignment equipment. Here's a short checklist of what you should be looking for when searching the market for this critical maintenance tool. What to Consider When Buying Heavy Duty Truck Alignment Equipment: Quick and Consistent: Time is of the essence in the trucking industry. You should look for a maintenance tool that can do the job in a short period of the day. Truck companies can invest in this equipment to make sure their fleet is ready for any hauling needs in any season. Business people can also invest in truck alignment equipment so that they can help maintain private truck owners. No Roll No Push Feature: Older alignment equipment required a dangerous roll and push maneuver to align truck wheels. Technology has allowed for safer and more accurate measurement and alignment of trucks. This should be one of the foremost things to look for when considering an alignment tool. Pinpoint Accuracy: The alignment is not for show. It is an essential factor in ensuring safe driving and transport of materials from location to location. Test the alignment equipment a few more times and see if the accuracy is always the same for every test done. Consistency is an indication that you have a piece of proper heavy-duty truck alignment equipment. This will ensure the owner and the truck operator that they can rely on the vehicle to work well even in long distances. Easy Operation: Even though precision is key to having a useful alignment tool, you should still look for one that is easy to operate. With the many technologies available, high precision can be achieved in a simple operation. There is alignment equipment you can operate with a smartphone. Durability: Since you will be dealing with heavy duty truck, it should be able to withstand heavy loads day in and day out. It should be able to last for decades. Make sure to pick one that will endure the test and abuse of time. Investing in maintenance equipment should be a top priority. But you should also look into what these tools can benefit you for a long time. Find the one that is both feature-packed and functional. Don't compromise on this equipment. Ensure that this equipment will stand the test of time, weight, and even abuse from heavy duty trucks. Read Also: Why Times Are Tough For Truckers And Why It Concerns You 5 Clever Tips Every Truck Driver Should Bear In Mind Freight Factoring Is Solving Common Trucking Challenges 4 Things You Need To Know About Commercial Truck Insurance

Lyft vs Uber: What’s the Difference Between the Ridesharing Giants?

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Car Shakes At Idle But Smooths Out While Driving – How To Fix This Problem?

Why Does Car Shakes At Idle But Smooths Out While Driving And How To Fix This Issue?

1. The Motor Mounts Are Weak

2. Damaged Spark Plugs

3. The Camshaft Timing Chain Is Loose

4. Battery Cables Are Loose

5. The Sensors Are Dirty Or Worn Out

6. Faulty Ignition Control Module

7. The Gas Cap Is Loose

8. Malfunctions In The Fuel Intake System

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Conclusion

5 Most Popular Online Merch Among Jeepers

Car Wont Start After Getting Gas – How To Fix This Problem?

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Related

What to Consider When Buying Heavy Duty Truck Alignment Equipment?

Lyft vs Uber: What’s the Difference Between the Ridesharing Giants?

How to Check If Your Car Tires Are Good

Car Shakes At Idle But Smooths Out While Driving – How To Fix This Problem?

Why Does Car Shakes At Idle But Smooths Out While Driving And How To Fix This Issue?

1. The Motor Mounts Are Weak

2. Damaged Spark Plugs

3. The Camshaft Timing Chain Is Loose

4. Battery Cables Are Loose

5. The Sensors Are Dirty Or Worn Out

6. Faulty Ignition Control Module

7. The Gas Cap Is Loose

8. Malfunctions In The Fuel Intake System

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Conclusion

Share this Article

5 Most Popular Online Merch Among Jeepers

Car Wont Start After Getting Gas – How To Fix This Problem?

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related