Why does the car shake when running?
3 Answers
Here are the reasons why the car shakes when running: 1. Excessive carbon deposits on the fuel injector and throttle body. During cold starts, the carbon deposits inside the engine absorb some gasoline, causing the combustible mixture to become too lean, leading to difficulty starting or engine shaking; 2. Faults caused by car tires. It is necessary to check the tire pressure, tire wear, shock absorbers, and other components; 3. Shaking caused by abnormalities in the car's fuel supply system and ignition system. It is necessary to check whether the intake pressure sensor, fuel supply pressure, spark plug firing, etc. are normal; 4. Problems with the car's body components. It is necessary to check whether the engine mounts, rubber ball joint covers, and components fixing the engine are loose or aged and damaged.
Car shaking while driving is quite common. I've been repairing cars for many years and have seen many such issues. The most typical cause is improper wheel balancing, uneven tire wear, or slight deformation of the wheel hub, causing the wheels to wobble like dancing. Suspension system problems are also common, such as aging shock absorbers or loose springs, making the car bounce continuously over bumps. On the engine side, if there's an ignition system failure, like carbon buildup on spark plugs or broken high-voltage wiring, the engine block shakes and transmits vibrations to the entire car. An unbalanced driveshaft is more noticeable during acceleration, shaking so much at high speeds that your hands go numb. Don’t forget warped brake rotors, which add shaking when braking. I recommend first checking if the tire pressure is consistent and trying a wheel alignment. If there’s no improvement, take it to a professional shop for inspection immediately—don’t delay. Small issues can easily damage the engine and chassis, posing safety risks. Regular maintenance and tire replacement can prevent many of these problems.
Last time my car was shaking like an earthquake while driving, which really scared me. After checking, it turned out to be a tire balance issue - uneven wear on all four wheels. Spending some money to rebalance them fixed the problem. It could also be due to cracked engine mounts or a bent driveshaft. From daily driving experience, I've noticed that worn brake pads can cause shaking when braking. If your car starts shaking, don't ignore it - get to a repair shop promptly, otherwise breaking down on the road would be even more troublesome. I recommend regularly checking tire pressure and inspecting tire wear during seasonal changes - it saves both money and hassle. Road safety comes first, and proper maintenance can extend your vehicle's lifespan.
