What Causes a Car to Shake Intermittently?
2 Answers
The reasons for a car shaking intermittently are: 1. Issues with the wheel dynamic balance; 2. Imbalance in the hydraulic power unit. Dynamic balance refers to the process of correcting the balance of the wheel edges by adding counterweights while the wheel is in motion, ensuring the wheel remains balanced during rotation. When the hydraulic power unit fails to achieve balance during operation, the car may shake at low speeds due to insufficient fuel injection by the engine. The functions of dynamic balance include: 1. Enhancing driving comfort; 2. Reducing fuel consumption; 3. Extending tire lifespan; 4. Ensuring straight-line stability of the vehicle; 5. Decreasing wear on chassis suspension components; 6. Improving driving safety.
I often encounter this kind of jerking issue when driving my old car, usually caused by problems in the engine ignition system. For example, spark plugs may accumulate too much carbon after prolonged use, failing to ignite properly, leading to imbalance when a cylinder misfires. Or, if the throttle body is dirty, the shaking is more noticeable at idle. I remember once on the highway, the car was shaking like a sieve, and it turned out to be clogged fuel injectors causing uneven fuel spray. Tire issues should also be considered—uneven tire pressure or improper wheel balancing can cause vibrations during turns and acceleration. If not addressed promptly, this problem not only wastes fuel but also affects high-speed driving safety. It's recommended to check the ignition system and clean the throttle body every two to three years to prevent bigger issues.
