Car shakes why

There are many parts and pieces that — when not working properly — can cause your vehicle to shake. Paying attention to when, where, and how your car shakes can help diagnose the issue. Your car shakes every time you stop, but you definitely don't live near an earthquake-prone area! While a shaky idling car can certainly feel like an earth-rumbling tremor, it can also indicate a problem with the engine. One common cause of shaking while idling can be loose engine mounts. Engine mounts are the connections between your engine and your car — they keep your motor safely attached while dampening vibrations produced by your engine.

Alternatively, a car that shakes when idle may have faulty fuel injectors, worn-out spark plugs , or a bad timing belt. Some of these engine troubles can be corrected with a standard engine service or fuel system cleaning, but others may require more extensive engine repair. Loose or damaged engine mounts may also be to blame if your car shakes when accelerating. In some cases, a misaligned steering and suspension system could cause your steering wheel to shake when you accelerate.

These two issues feel similar to you, the driver, but they have very different solutions. To figure out why your car is shaking when you accelerate, bring your car into your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care for an inspection. We can diagnose whether you need engine repairs or just an alignment check and adjustment. Your car should always be running smoothly, whether you are driving, or stopped.

Often this vibrating sensation will first be felt in your steering wheel If you notice your engine begins to shake when you are stopped or driving at lower speeds then it is time for a visit to the mechanic. Here are the top 5 reasons why your car might be shaking and stuttering when you are stopped…. If the shaking decreases when you put your car into neutral this could indicate that it is the motor mounts. If these belts have become loose or worn out then they can also cause other parts of your engine such as fans to not operate properly — resulting in strange noises and shaking.

These belts are easily inspected by your mechanic to make sure they are operating properly. If your engine does not get a continuous even supply of gas then it will start to shake. When you drive your car, you expect a smooth ride as you cruise down the highway. Shaking and vibrating down the road is no way to drive to work every morning. Vibration is usually caused by an out of balance or defective tire, a bent wheel or a worn driveline U-joint.

You may find that the car shakes the car in an up and down motion. You may feel vibration through the seat, the steering wheel or even in the brake pedal. While there are many possible causes of vibration, observing under what conditions the vibration happens will help you and your mechanic find the source of the problem. Here are some things to look for:. The most prevalent cause of vibration is problems with your wheels or tires.

The potential problems include improper wheel and tire balance, uneven tire wear, separated tire tread, out of round tires, damaged wheels and even loose lug nuts. Many of these issues can be avoided by routine car inspections, such as a visual inspection of the wheels and tires, checking and adjusting tire pressure, and checking the tightness of lug nuts. Your regular maintenance schedule should include maintaining proper tire pressure, rotating the tires and balancing the wheels.

First, your tires may not be properly balanced. A loose tire can also be the culprit; check to make sure that the lugs are properly tightened on every tire. If the lugs are tight but the tire is still loose, it could signal an issue with the wheel bearings, and that is something you need to take care of immediately.

Another possibility is that you hit something, such as a curb or pothole, and that has created a problem with the tire itself or has resulted in a bent rim.

Your car also might shake if you have a separated tread. Whichever case it may be, if your tires are causing the issue you need to get them checked and, when necessary, replaced before they cause further problems or an accident. Chances are good that you have a warped brake rotor, which can be caused by the normal wear and tear of driving. The rotor sits inside the wheel and the brake pads press against it every time they have to slow or stop your vehicle, so it gets a lot of use. Another brake-related reason your car might be shaking could be a stuck caliper.

The caliper houses the brake pads that press against the rotor, and if they get stuck, it can cause the car to vibrate when it reaches a certain speed — typically around 40 or 50 mph.