Is Car Shaking Related to Gasoline?

[RichardFitz]

Car shaking is related to gasoline. Using gasoline with a lower octane rating can cause knocking, which leads to engine shaking. It is recommended that car owners remove the fuel tank and empty the gasoline. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid obtained through distillation, cracking, or pyrolysis of petroleum. It is primarily used as fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines and mainly consists of organic compounds derived from crude oil distillation and various additives. The causes of car shaking include: 1. Low cylinder pressure: If one cylinder is not functioning properly, it can result in a misfire, leading to engine shaking. 2. Carbon deposits and oil sludge blockages: Over time, carbon deposits and oil sludge can accumulate in the throttle body, idle valve, and intake ports, causing blockages and restricted airflow. This affects idle stability and results in shaking.

[LeCora]

I previously encountered an issue where my car was shaking for no apparent reason. At first, I thought the engine was broken, but after inspection, it turned out to be the gasoline causing the trouble. Once, I tried to save money by refueling at a small gas station, and the next day, the steering wheel was shaking like a phone in vibration mode. The mechanic said that low-quality gasoline contains more impurities, leading to incomplete combustion and uneven power output, especially noticeable during cold starts. Later, I switched to regular 95-octane gasoline and added a bottle of fuel system cleaner to flush the fuel lines. After two weeks, the shaking disappeared. Of course, there could be other possible causes, such as carbon buildup or aging spark plugs, but sudden shaking is mostly due to fuel quality issues. Now, I only refuel at reputable, large gas stations and never dare to save those few bucks again.

[DeValerie]

Over the years of repairing cars, I've seen too many cases of engine shaking, with fuel system issues accounting for about 30% of them. The most common problems are water accumulation in the fuel tank or impurities stuck on the fuel injectors, which reduce gasoline atomization efficiency and cause uneven operation among the four cylinders. My routine is to first connect the diagnostic tool to check fuel pressure data, then inspect the fuel filter condition. Last time, a Tiguan was shaking so badly it made the seats vibrate, and upon opening the fuel filter, we found it clogged with black, sticky residue. Another often overlooked component is the fuel pump: when the pump core wears out causing fuel supply pressure fluctuations, it can lead to idle shaking at best or complete engine stall at worst. I recommend replacing the fuel filter every two years and paying attention to fuel nozzle hygiene when refueling.

[LaBrayden]

Veteran drivers know that eight out of ten cases of engine shaking are fuel-related. My old Passat once shook after filling up with 92-octane gas, even though the manual clearly specifies 95-octane. Lower octane means poor anti-knock performance, throwing off the piston movement rhythm. Another time after refueling post-rain, moisture likely got in - the engine wheezed like it was about to quit. This type of shaking has distinct characteristics: the throttle responds with jerky surges, and the exhaust smells of unburned fuel. But I recommend ruling out other factors first: tire pressure fluctuations transmit vibrations to the steering wheel, while worn engine mounts cause full-body resonance. If the problem appears right after refueling, the most reliable approach is having a mechanic test the fuel's water content.