What Causes Engine Shaking After Switching to High-Viscosity Oil?
5 Answers
Reasons for engine shaking after switching to high-viscosity oil are as follows: Oil Fill Level: If there is excessive oil, the surplus can easily enter the combustion chamber and form gummy carbon deposits. Over time, these deposits will worsen, leading not only to idle shaking but also clogging the catalytic converter's pores, resulting in excessive exhaust emissions and vibration. Oil Viscosity and Quality: Choosing oil that matches the vehicle model is crucial. Using oil with excessively high viscosity will impair its flow characteristics, likely causing engine shaking at idle. Additionally, oil quality must be carefully monitored, as substandard oils lack reliable quality assurance. This can lead not only to idle shaking but also directly affect the vehicle's overall performance.
After switching to high-viscosity engine oil, the engine started shaking. I believe the most likely reason is the excessive viscosity of the oil, especially during cold starts. The oil is too thick like syrup, flows slowly, and fails to lubricate engine components such as bearings and pistons in time, leading to increased friction and vibration. My car experienced this situation, shaking severely, particularly at low speeds. Another factor is the increased oil pressure; high-viscosity oil has greater resistance, overloading the oil pump and potentially causing abnormal vibrations. Sometimes, air isn’t fully purged during the oil change, causing bubbles to mix into the oil passages and disrupt lubrication flow. Alternatively, using oil that doesn’t meet the manufacturer’s recommended grade can also make the engine shake as it struggles to adapt. Though a minor issue, ignoring it can accelerate engine wear, increase fuel consumption, and even damage internal components. I later switched back to standard-viscosity oil, and the engine returned to smooth operation. I recommend checking the oil pressure promptly and changing the oil if necessary.
Engine vibration caused by high-viscosity oil is primarily related to fluidity. High viscosity means the oil has poor fluidity at low temperatures, making the oil pump work harder to circulate oil during startup, with significant resistance causing system-wide vibrations. From my experience, key components like the crankshaft and camshaft don't receive sufficient lubrication, and increased friction heat worsens the vibration. If the oil filter is old or clogged, it further restricts flow. High-viscosity oil is designed for high-temperature protection but becomes a burden during cold starts. The viscosity range recommended in the factory manual usually accounts for engine size and temperature adaptability, and exceeding it may lead to incompatibility. The solution involves measuring oil pressure to confirm if it's too high and purging air. If incompatible, switching back to a moderate viscosity is the right approach.
My car started shaking after switching to high-viscosity oil, even the steering wheel vibrates. The likely cause is the oil being too thick, preventing proper flow to all engine parts during cold starts, leading to increased friction due to insufficient lubrication. Air trapped during the oil change might also hinder circulation. The shaking reduced after driving for a while, but it's best to check oil pressure or revert to lower-viscosity oil to avoid engine damage.
Engine shaking after switching to high-viscosity oil is quite common. The first step in addressing it is to verify whether the oil viscosity complies with the vehicle manual specifications. High-viscosity oil flows sluggishly during cold starts, causing insufficient lubrication and resulting in vibrations; check if the shaking reduces or disappears after warming up. Inspect oil pressure: excessively high readings indicate the oil is too thick; ensure the oil change process fully removes air and the air filter is free of contaminants. If the shaking persists, it will accelerate component wear; promptly switch back to new oil with the appropriate viscosity to test and resolve the issue.
