What to Do When There Is Occasional Shaking at Idle Speed?
2 Answers
Minor shaking at idle speed is a normal phenomenon, as the engine will produce vibrations during operation. However, if the shaking is excessive or violent, it is necessary to check whether the vehicle has developed a fault. Body shaking at idle is a common situation encountered by many car owners. Relevant information about idle speed is as follows: 1. Introduction: Idle speed is an operating condition of a car, referring to the engine running in neutral gear. The engine speed at idle is called the idle speed. The idle speed can be adjusted by changing the throttle opening size, among other methods. Idle speed means the engine is 'working but not performing labor.' 2. Driving Idle: When the car is in gear, without pressing the accelerator pedal or releasing it during driving, maintaining the minimum throttle opening, the engine speed matches the parked idle speed. This state is referred to as driving idle.
In my many years of driving, occasional idle shaking is not uncommon. The usual causes could be worn-out spark plugs or faulty ignition coils. Spark plugs tend to accumulate carbon deposits over time, leading to unstable ignition and engine shaking. Additionally, carbon buildup on intake valves or the throttle body can cause improper air-fuel mixture. I suggest you start with a simple DIY check: open the engine hood and inspect if the spark plugs are loose or dirty. For older cars, you can use a spark plug cleaning tool to wipe them. If that doesn't help, then check the fuel system—clogged fuel injectors or a dirty fuel filter might need replacement. If these fixes don't work, it's best to take it to a reliable repair shop where they can use an OBD scanner to read trouble codes. Using higher-quality gasoline regularly and adding fuel system cleaner periodically can effectively prevent shaking and avoid long-term impacts on fuel efficiency and engine life. The process isn't too complicated, and DIY can save you some money.
