Has your smooth ride turned shaky? Vibration while driving can come from a number of car problems, so timing and frequency are key to determining what repair your car may need. If your car’s engine seems to be the source of the issue, several repairs are possible, from common to more extensive. A shaking or vibrating engine should be inspected right away to prevent more extensive repairs.
How to Tell Your Car’s Engine is Shaking or Vibrating
Issues with several parts and systems in your vehicle can cause shaking or vibrating — so how can you tell it’s the engine? Timing, frequency, intensity, and related sounds can all help you decipher your car’s problem. As soon as you start to notice shaking, vibration, or similar sensations, it’s time to pay extra close attention to any and all changes in your car’s performance.
Pay Attention to When You Feel Your Car Shaking
Timing is key. If you notice vibration when pressing the brakes, it points to a problem with the rotors, brake pads, or calipers. When you feel the steering wheel shake, it’s likely there’s a problem with the suspension system, such as a bad tire or worn u-joint. On the other hand, a steady vibration when the car is running can mean an engine repair is in your near future.
What Can Cause the Engine to Shake or Vibrate?
Proper engine function comes down to a few key elements, including adequate fuel delivery and well-timed combustion. It’s also essential that the engine be kept securely in place. Issues with any of these can lead to a noticeable shake or vibration while driving. You or your mechanic will have to inspect parts of the engine for these common causes.
Fuel Delivery Issues Can Make Acceleration Shaky
Without adequate fuel, your car won’t have the power it needs. Whether there’s too much or too little fuel, it can cause an engine to misfire, meaning you’ll feel shaking or jerking during acceleration. This could mean a problem with the fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel filter, or another mechanical part related to air and fuel delivery in the engine.
Bad Spark Plugs Can Lead to Engine Misfires
More commonly, misfires are associated with faulty spark plugs. If one or more of your car’s spark plugs is wearing out, it can cause engine misfires due to improper combustion. Without inspecting specific parts, it’s impossible to tell whether your engine is misfiring due to spark plugs or a part related to fuel delivery.
Worn Mounts Can Allow Your Engine to Shift Around
How does the engine stay in place while you drive, no matter how hard you accelerate or brake? Mounts are used to support the engine and keep it in place, as well as keeping engine vibration isolated from the rest of the vehicle. If the engine mount is wearing out, you may feel more vibration overall with the car running — but you’re also especially likely to feel shaking and hear clunking when accelerating or braking.
Mechanical Problems Can Cause Engine Failure
One of the worst-case scenarios is a more serious mechanical malfunction that’s causing extra vibration from the engine. There may be a broken part rattling around inside the engine causing more extensive damage. This could mean that engine failure is just down the road if you don’t have a mechanic inspect your vehicle and handle any needed repairs.
What Should You Do if Your Engine is Shaking?
Any new vibration or similar sensation while driving should grab your attention. Whether you’re looking at an engine repair or another system is causing a rough drive, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible to avoid increased damage. Until necessary repairs are handled, avoid driving as much as possible.
Find a Mechanic You Can Trust to Diagnose & Repair Your Car’s Engine
The best way to ensure any issue is accurately diagnosed so that repairs can be handled right away is to head to a trusted mechanic. While you can take steps on your own to help pinpoint which issue is impacting your vehicle, it’s always best to leave diagnostics and repairs to a mechanic.
Trust AAMCO Tallahassee’s Mechanics with Your Engine Repair
Stop that shake, rattle, and roll at the source. Whichever repairs are necessary to get your vehicle operating smoothly again, the mechanics at your local AAMCO Tallahassee auto shop are here to help. Give us a call today or easily schedule your appointment online.