What to Do When the Car Shakes?
2 Answers
The solutions to car shaking mainly include the following situations: 1. Poor fuel quality: Low-quality fuel can damage engine performance, leading to idle shaking. In this case, it is advisable to switch to better engine oil. 2. Faulty ignition system: Issues such as poor ignition system performance or weak spark plug firing can cause unstable conditions like shaking during idling. Immediately check the condition of the spark plugs, high-voltage wires, and ignition coils, and replace the spark plugs if any problems are found. Extended content: Car maintenance steps include: 1. Replace engine oil, oil filter, cabin air filter, and air filter; 2. Check if all fluids meet the required standards; 3. Inspect the functionality of lights, chassis, and braking system; 4. Check and tighten the wheel and hub nut connections; 5. Adjust idle speed and idle mixture pedal clearance; 6. Check the tightness of the engine cylinder head screws.
My old Focus used to shake violently when going over 90 km/h on the highway last year, making it hard to hold the steering wheel steady. I took it to the repair shop, and the mechanic first checked the wheel balancing. Sure enough, the left front wheel was off by 30 grams! After fixing it, the shaking stopped immediately. Never ignore car vibrations—wheel balancing issues are the most common cause, especially after tire repairs or replacements. Worn spark plugs can also cause idle vibrations—my neighbor’s car shook until it stalled. Another issue is a bent driveshaft; my colleague’s Bora had this problem and shook at 60 km/h. Remember to note the speed when vibrations occur—high-speed shaking is often tire-related, while idle shaking points to engine issues. For tire problems, first check tire pressure and look for wheel rim deformations.
