What Causes the Shaking When Starting a New Car in First Gear?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons why a new car shakes when starting in first gear: Clutch Shudder: Let the engine idle, engage a low gear, slowly release the clutch pedal, and increase the throttle to start. If the car body shakes at this time, it indicates clutch shudder. Uneven Pressure Distribution Between the Driving and Driven Discs: Frequently engaged clutch pressure springs with uneven elasticity, inconsistent adjustment of the release levers, and/or uneven ends of the diaphragm spring fingers can lead to asynchronous pressure application times, uneven force distribution on the pressure plate, or even tilting of the pressure plate, resulting in poor contact between the driving and driven discs and causing clutch shudder. Weakened Damping Spring Elasticity: Weakened elasticity of the clutch torsional damping springs, weakened elasticity of the clutch pressure springs, or cracks in the diaphragm spring can all cause shaking when the clutch engages. The solution in this case is to replace the springs.
My new car shakes noticeably when starting in first gear, which is quite annoying. Years of driving manual transmission cars tell me that the problem often lies in improper clutch control. During the break-in period of a new car, the clutch disc may not have fully adapted yet. If you press the throttle too hard and release the clutch too quickly, it leads to unstable power transmission, causing the car to shake. On the other hand, it could be due to unstable engine idle speed, loose spark plugs, or uneven fuel supply—especially when the engine is cold and gasoline combustion is incomplete, making the shaking more obvious. A friend of mine had a similar issue last time, and after inspection, it turned out the clutch assembly was slightly misaligned; a minor adjustment fixed it. For novice drivers, it's advisable to slow down the starting speed and develop gentle operating habits. Regular maintenance should pay extra attention to the ignition system to prevent shaking from affecting the transmission. If you notice any abnormalities, get it diagnosed at the 4S store as early as possible to save a lot of trouble later. New cars come with warranties, so don’t delay too long.
