Why does the engine shake after an oil change?

[EmilyLee]

Engine shaking after an oil change is due to high oil viscosity, increased mechanical resistance, and higher cylinder pressure. When selecting engine oil, pay attention to the following factors: 1. Choose engine oil based on the requirements of your engine. 2. Try to select multi-grade oil. Multi-grade oil offers advantages such as fuel efficiency, long service life, and high performance, providing better protection for the engine. Due to the characteristics of multi-grade oil, you may observe premature darkening or lower oil pressure compared to conventional oils, which is normal. 3. Some domestic engine oils are of quite good quality and are significantly cheaper than imported counterparts, making them a reliable choice. 4. If the engine is in good condition and the seasonal temperature is low, use oil with lower viscosity to ensure smooth oil flow. In high-temperature seasons or when the engine is severely worn, opting for higher viscosity oil helps form an oil film and reduces engine wear.

[OColton]

Engine shaking after an oil change may be caused by incorrect oil quantity or type. I've found some repair shops might use the wrong oil grade, such as oil that's too thick or too thin, leading to insufficient engine lubrication and causing shaking. If too much oil is added, excessive oil pressure can overload components; if too little is added, inadequate lubrication increases friction between parts. Another common issue is improper installation of the oil filter—a loose seal can allow air into the system, creating bubbles that disrupt oil flow. This results in unstable engine operation. I recommend immediately checking the oil level on the dipstick to ensure it's between the minimum and maximum marks, and verifying that the oil type matches the vehicle manual. If the shaking persists, return to the shop promptly to inspect the filter and overall system. Ignoring this could damage engine bearings or pistons, increasing repair costs, so don't delay addressing it.

[DiLandon]

After my last oil change, I also experienced engine shaking, which turned out to be caused by overfilling the engine oil. At the repair shop, the technician might not have paid attention to the oil level and added too much, causing abnormal oil pressure to rise and overloading some engine components, leading to the shaking. The sensation was like the car wobbling at idle, and acceleration became sluggish. Later, I checked the oil level myself with the dipstick and indeed found it too high, so I drained some to fix the issue. Additionally, if the wrong viscosity grade of oil is used—for example, using 10W-40 instead of 5W-30—the engine might not adapt well to the change in oil quality, resulting in sluggish performance. I recommend checking the oil level proactively after every maintenance to avoid similar mistakes. Addressing such issues promptly can make the car run smoother and save you the hassle and time of repairs.

[JoelLynn]

Engine shaking after an oil change can sometimes be due to an issue with the oil filter. I noticed that if the filter isn't installed tightly, it can leak air, affecting oil flow and causing oil pressure fluctuations. If the filter's sealing ring is damaged or not secured properly, air entering the system prevents the oil pump from drawing enough oil, leading to engine shaking. Another possibility is that other components were disturbed during maintenance, such as loose spark plugs or ignition coils, causing abnormal ignition and resulting in vibrations. I recommend manually checking the filter and oil level to avoid minor mistakes. If you can't resolve it yourself, it's safer to have a professional shop investigate.

[VanPiper]

This situation is quite annoying. If the engine shakes after an oil change, I would first suspect an oil-related issue. It could be due to using oil with the wrong viscosity or an inaccurate fill level, causing increased engine friction and vibration. Additionally, air might have been trapped in the system during maintenance, affecting lubrication. I would immediately pull over to check the dipstick—if the oil level is too high, I'd drain some; if too low, I'd top it up. If the problem persists, other components might be affected, such as sensors misreading data. It's advisable not to force the drive to avoid damaging internal engine parts, leading to costlier repairs. Returning to the shop for a technician to test oil pressure and the filter with equipment is the quickest fix.