If your car shakes when idle, something is not right. Engines that vibrate when your car is idling can be an indicator of a serious underlying issue.
Waiting too long to get it fixed can leave you stranded and/or run up your repair bills pretty high.
So what causes rough idle after all?
Many problems can lead to a car shaking when idle such as timing belt issues, bad spark plugs, disconnected or loose engine hoses, air-fuel mixture issues, clogged fuel filter, engine mounts, vacuum leak among others.
Let’s take a look at each.
Why Does Your Car Vibrate When Idling?
Your car vibrates slightly when idling. However, when you can distinctly feel your car shaking while sitting in the cabin, then there’s something off with your engine.
Here are several reasons why your car shakes when idle:
Timing Belt - Your car’s timing belt is a lynchpin in your engine's performance.
That said, if your timing belt is experiencing any issue, your engine could end up vibrating while idle.
Furthermore, when the timing is off, the functionality of the fans and drive belts also suffer, leading to more rattling.
Spark Plugs - Worn out spark plugs is one of the main reasons why your car vibrates while it’s idle.
A faulty spark plug interferes with the ratio of your car’s air-fuel, resulting in your cylinders misfiring while idling.
Hoses - Disconnected or loose engine hoses can cause a rough idle for your vehicle.
These hoses funnel radiator coolant, air and fuel mixture, vacuum, etc. with specific requirements for your engine’s functionality.
If they are compromised, you’ll be able to feel it as your cabin shakes unexpectedly.
Fuel Intake - An improperly calibrated fuel intake system can lead to engine vibrations that you’ll feel while your car’s idling.
The car isn’t getting the right air-fuel mixture while at idle, so you’ll get increased shakes during those periods.
Fuel Filter - Your vehicle’s fuel filter might be clogged, which is preventing the proper level of fuel from getting into your fuel pump and the injectors.
This causes a choking effect and will also result in violent shaking.
Mounts - Damage to your engine mounts can also lead to your engine vibrating during idle periods.
Your mounts are what provide the support for your engine in the engine bay.
They’re responsible for absorbing any shocks and vibrations that may occur while driving, so it’s best to have them in optimal condition.
Vacuum Leak - The mass air flow sensor in your vehicle measures how much air enters your engine to calculate how much fuel to inject.
However, if you have a vacuum leak, some air could be entering the system without being calculated by the mass air flow system, resulting in a fuel mix that’s too “lean.”
This can cause a rough idle, and low vehicle performance.
Is It Safe To Drive When Your Car Is Shaking?
The short of it is: Yes. However, continuing to drive while your vehicle is shaking risks damaging expensive parts like your engine and catalytic converter.
If internal engine failure is the cause of your car’s shakes, then you risk damaging your vehicle further if you continue to drive it as is.
How To Prevent Rough Idle And Provide Great Engine Care
Your engine should run smoothly, so if you hear and feel it shaking then you know something’s up.
The culprit behind a rough idle can be one of many, but many of them are caused by damage, wear and tear, and debris.
In order to prevent the damage that causes rough idles, keep your engine clean and well-maintained.
You’ll want to be proactive in replacing filters, flushing fluids, and scheduling maintenance.
If you keep your vehicle under the eyes of a mechanic regularly, you’ll save yourself money in the long run.
You won’t find yourself surprised by a breakdown, because you’ll be aware of any potential issues with your car ahead of time.
Shaky Engines And DamagedCars
If you’ve got an engine that shakes when idle, you may very well have a damaged engine.
Engines can be pretty pricey to replace and, in the event that you’d rather not replace it, DamagedCars specializes in taking on…well...damaged cars.
We provide instant quotes for your vehicle as well as free retrieval across the United States within 24-48 hours.
If you want a hassle free option for getting rid of a shaky engine, DamagedCars is here for you!