Can You Still Drive When the Car Shakes Violently?
3 Answers
Normally, the car should remain relatively stable without significant shaking during idling or driving. There are two scenarios: 1. If you can clearly feel strong vibrations but the warning light is not on, you can continue driving at a lower speed and head to a repair shop as soon as possible to diagnose the cause of the shaking. 2. If the car shakes extremely violently with abnormal noises and the warning light is on, you should stop immediately and call for assistance. Additional Information: Car shaking mainly occurs in the following situations: 1. Engine Shaking. The engine may shake due to issues like carbon buildup, cylinder misfire, or detonation, which can also cause the car body to vibrate. When checking for engine-related shaking, also inspect the condition of the engine mounts, as one of their functions is to reduce the transmission of engine vibrations to the car body. 2. Brake Shaking. Brake shaking is often caused by grooved brake discs. You can feel noticeable unevenness when touching the surface of the brake disc, and in severe cases, the edges of the brake disc may protrude significantly. Depending on the thickness of the brake disc, you can choose to machine it or replace it with a new one. 3. Gear Shift Shaking. Gear shift shaking might be due to severely worn clutch plates or insufficient clamping force. This type of shaking caused by clutch issues is not noticeable during steady driving but becomes apparent during gear shifts or rapid acceleration. 4. High-Speed Shaking. High-speed shaking could be due to unbalanced wheels or abnormal tire wear. Wheel balancing refers to the even distribution of mass around the wheel's circumference; otherwise, the wheel will shake violently at high speeds. If the tire surface shows wave-like abnormal wear, it will not only cause shaking but also produce loud tire noise while driving.
I found that when the car shakes violently, you must never continue driving because the safety risks are too great. Having driven for many years, I've seen similar situations: the shaking could stem from unbalanced tires or engine misfires, which can cause the vehicle to wobble and lose control, especially dangerous on highways, potentially leading to accidents or harming others. Once you feel severe shaking, I recommend slowing down immediately, pulling over, and turning off the engine to check for tire leaks or abnormal engine sounds, but do not attempt to repair it yourself. It's best to call a tow truck and take it to a professional repair shop for a comprehensive diagnosis—the issue could be as minor as aging spark plugs or as serious as a transmission system failure. Delaying repairs only compromises safety and increases repair costs. Health and safety come first; don't risk driving to save time.
When the car is shaking severely, driving a short distance might be acceptable in emergencies, such as moving from the main road to a parking lot, but it's not suitable for long-distance driving. Shaking is commonly caused by unbalanced tires or issues with the ignition system, such as carbon buildup on spark plugs leading to engine instability. While driving, maintain a low speed and avoid sudden acceleration or braking to minimize risks. However, don't take it lightly, as the problem could escalate into more serious malfunctions. I recommend stopping immediately to inspect the car. If there are obvious tire abnormalities or the engine makes unusual noises, wait for roadside assistance on the spot. If everything appears normal on the surface, drive slowly to the nearest repair shop. Regular maintenance, including wheel alignment and fuel system cleaning, can help prevent such shaking issues.
