What Causes Severe Jerking When Starting in First Gear in a Cruze?

[Willa]

Possible causes include uneven or deformed clutch plates, improper clutch adjustment, issues with the universal joint bearing, or problems with the clutch pressure plate contact. Excessive carbon buildup in the engine combustion chamber leading to incomplete combustion and affected power output. Loose engine fastening screws, etc. More details are as follows: 1. Main causes after excluding personal driving habits: Vehicle shaking during first-gear starts is generally caused by excessive wear of the clutch pressure plate. Manual transmissions primarily transmit power through the clutch, where the clutch pressure plate is responsible for kinetic energy transfer. The clutch pressure plate has a limited lifespan. Prolonged semi-engagement or the engine operating under excessive load for extended periods can accelerate wear on the pressure plate. 2. Solution: When the clutch pressure plate wears to a certain extent, power engagement becomes less smooth, causing vehicle shaking and unstable engine RPM. To resolve this issue, it is recommended that owners visit a repair shop or 4S dealership to have technicians replace the clutch pressure plate, which will eliminate the fault.