Are you feeling a bit shaky about your car’s performance? Does it feel like every time you step on the gas pedal, your car starts to quiver and shake uncontrollably? Believe it or not, this is actually a very common problem among many drivers. It can be bothersome and even dangerous if left unchecked.
In this article, we’ll dive into why your car may be shaking when accelerating – from engine problems to transmission issues – and how you can fix them. Read on for more information that will have you driving smoothly in no time!
Any car has the chance to develop a problem as time passes. One of the most common issues is excess vibration. A well-known example is when your vehicle starts to shake during each driving, braking, accelerating, or idling — it’s clearly time for you to investigate the problem.
Car Shake When Accelerating – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis
Vibration in vehicles can be caused by a number of different issues. Depending on where you experience the vibration, you may be able to point out the exact problem and solution. You might feel the vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal.
For whatever reason, your car is vibrating while driving down the road.
| Reason | Symptoms | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Damaged Inner CV Joint | Vibration and rattling when accelerating. | Inspect and replace the damaged CV joint. |
| Damaged Motor Mounts | Excessive shaking when accelerating. | Inspect and replace damaged motor mounts. |
| Lug Nuts Are Loose | Vibrations intensify with higher speeds. Whole vehicle shakes. | Properly torque down the lug nuts. |
| Tires Are Unbalanced | Vibrations during acceleration or at higher speeds. | Rebalance the tires at an auto shop. |
| Bent Axle | Vibrations felt in steering wheel, pedals, and seat during acceleration. | Replace the bent axle and align the car. |
| Bent Driveshaft | Vibrations when accelerating/turning, clunking noises. | Replace or repair the bent driveshaft. |
| Vacuum Hose Issues | Car shakes due to uneven air/fuel mix. | Inspect and replace any damaged or disconnected vacuum hoses. |
| Stuck Brake Caliper | Vibrations felt in the steering wheel, especially at 40-50 mph. | Inspect brakes and fix or replace the stuck brake caliper. |
| Spark Plugs Or Leads | Difficulty starting, poor fuel economy, acceleration issues. |
Replace worn spark plugs or damaged leads. |
1. Damaged Inner CV Joint
When your car is shaking while accelerating, it can be a sign of serious trouble. A damaged inner CV joint can be the root cause of this issue and should not be ignored. The inner CV joint is an essential component in a vehicle’s drivetrain that helps transfer power from the transmission to the wheels and allows them to turn at different angles while driving.
When inner CV joint becomes worn or broken, it causes vibration and rattling in the car when accelerating due to the loss of power transfer efficiency.
CV joints are generally made up of two main components – rubber boots and bearing cages filled with small steel balls which allow for flexibility between the axle shafts and wheels. If these components become cracked or otherwise damaged, they will no longer be able to provide proper lubrication for smooth operation, resulting in vibrations felt by drivers as they accelerate their vehicles.
If your steering wheel shakes when accelerating then check out this article.
It is recommended that if you experience any shaking or vibration in your car during acceleration that you have it inspected by a qualified mechanic immediately so that necessary repairs can be made before further damage occurs.
2. Damaged Motor Mounts
Car shakes when accelerating can be an incredibly frustrating experience for any driver, especially if the cause is unknown. One of the possible causes of a shaking car when accelerating could be broken motor mounts.
Broken motor mounts are pieces that connect the engine to the frame of your car and help reduce vibration and noise. If these become loose or break, it could result in your car shaking excessively when accelerating.
Motor mounts are crafted from rubber; they will be able to absorb vibrations. When a motor mount is damaged or destroyed, you will sense unwanted vibrations in the car, and other parts of your engine can become misaligned, eventually damaging the engine since it is located in an inaccurate location.
In order to determine if broken motor mounts are causing your vehicle to shake, you can inspect them yourself or take it into a trusted mechanic for further inspection. When inspecting them for signs of wear, look for any missing bolts or rubber pieces that may have become disconnected from the mount itself.
If there is any visible damage or signs of wear and tear then they need replacing as soon as possible in order to avoid further damage to your vehicle’s components.
3. Lug Nuts Are Loose
Car shake when accelerating due to loose lug nuts is one of the most common issues faced by car owners. It can be an annoying problem that can also lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Loose lug nuts affect the wheel alignment and cause vibrations as the car accelerates. The vibrations become more intense with higher speeds, resulting in a shaking sensation in the entire vehicle.
The primary cause of this problem is improper installation or maintenance of wheels on your vehicle. If not installed correctly, there is a chance for some lug nuts to loosen over time, leading to misalignment and vibration when you accelerate.
To avoid this issue, it’s very important to inspect your vehicle regularly for tightness of lug nuts and other hardware parts such as axle bolts and hubcaps.
This issue is typically caused by not properly torquing down the lug nuts when they were installed.
To ensure that the lug nuts are properly tightened, you need to make sure that you use the correct size of lug nut for the job.
Each individual nut should then be tightened equally using a torque wrench and torque specifications for your particular vehicle model.
If done correctly, this should eliminate any shaking or vibrating during acceleration.
Professional mechanics can also help diagnose any underlying problems related to loose lug nuts and provide reliable solutions for them.
4. Tires Are Unbalanced
When the tires are out of balance, one side will be heavier than the other, which causes an uneven distribution of weight.
This leads to vibrations during acceleration or at higher speeds which can cause considerable discomfort for the driver and passengers alike.
The issue of unbalanced tires can be solved quite easily by visiting an auto shop and having them rebalance the tires from time to time. It’s important to check your tire’s balance regularly as it is essential for a smoother ride and improved safety on the road.
If you notice any shaking while you accelerate, it would be wise to bring your car in for a professional checkup as soon as possible. The technicians will inspect your car and determine whether rebalancing or replacing your tires is necessary in order to resolve this issue efficiently and safely.
The best way to detect an unbalanced tire is to have your car checked at a professional auto shop who specializes in balancing wheels.
They will use specialized machines to measure the balance of each wheel and then add weights where necessary for proper balancing. This will ensure that your car runs smoothly and efficiently with minimal vibration or noise while driving.
5. Bent Axle
A bent axle is one of the more common reasons for a car to shake when accelerating. This can be caused by an accident or by driving on rough roads, and it affects both manual and automatic cars alike.
When an axle becomes bent, it causes uneven wear on tires, leading to vibrations that can be felt in the steering wheel, pedals and the seat itself when accelerating.
Fortunately, fixing this problem is relatively straightforward with a few tools and some mechanical know-how.
For those who don’t have the time or expertise to fix their car themselves, they can take their vehicle to a local auto shop where they will have access to specialized equipment to diagnose any issues with their axles.
Once diagnosed, technicians can then replace any broken parts or repair any bent ones using special presses or jacks.
If the axle is indeed bent, it will need to be replaced. Replacing the axle is a job that should be done by a qualified mechanic, as it can be a tricky and time–consuming job.
Once the axle has been replaced, it is important to have the car aligned to ensure that the wheels are properly aligned and that the car is running optimally. This will help to ensure that the car is safe and that it runs as smoothly as possible.
6. Bent Driveshaft
When you’re out on the road, having your car shake when accelerating can be an alarming experience. One potential cause of this problem is a bent driveshaft.
A driveshaft is a metal rod that connects the transmission to the wheels and allows power from the engine to reach them. If it’s bent or off-center, it can create vibrations in the car while you drive.
The most common signs of a bent driveshaft are vibrations when accelerating or turning, clunking noises coming from underneath the vehicle, and shaking that is felt through the floorboards.
The vibration usually increases as you accelerate faster and will become more noticeable at higher speeds. In some cases, a bent driveshaft may cause your car’s steering wheel to vibrate or jerk back and forth, making it difficult to drive safely.
It’s important that any issues with a bent driveshaft are addressed as soon as possible.
7. Vacuum Hose Is Disconnected or Torn
One of the most common problems that can affect a car’s performance is a damaged or disconnected vacuum hose. When this happens, it can cause the car to shake when accelerating.
A vacuum hose is an integral part of the engine and its functionality can have a direct effect on how the vehicle performs. When one becomes torn or disconnected, it can cause various issues within the engine, such as causing your car to shake when accelerating.
The shaking is caused by an uneven flow of air and fuel entering into the engine, leading to a lack of power output. This issue typically occurs when one of the vehicle’s many vacuum hoses have become torn or otherwise disconnected from its proper location in the engine bay.
In order to identify whether or not a torn or disconnected hose is causing your car to shake while accelerating, you will need to inspect all of your vehicle’s hoses for damage. If any are found to be damaged, then you should replace them as soon as possible in order for your car’s performance and reliability not be compromised in any way.
8. Stuck Brake Caliper
The car shake when accelerating due to stuck brake caliper can cause a lot of discomfort and alarm behind the wheel. A common symptom of this issue is vibrations felt in the steering wheel, beginning when you reach 40-50 miles per hour and gradually getting worse as you accelerate at higher speeds.
If your brake caliper is stuck it will cause your brakes to drag and create resistance as you drive, which leads to the shaking sensation and vibration in the steering wheel.
In order to address this issue properly, it’s important to figure out if the problem lies with your vehicle’s brakes or with something else entirely.
It may be helpful to start by checking your wheels for any visual signs of wear like missing pieces or leaking fluid. If everything looks normal, then it’s likely that a stuck brake caliper is causing the car shake when accelerating.
9. Spark Plugs Or Leads
Car shake when accelerating is a common problem that can be caused by worn spark plugs or leads. This issue can affect the engine’s performance and may cause other problems such as difficulty starting, poor fuel economy, and acceleration issues.
Spark plugs transfer an electrical signal from the ignition coil to the combustion chamber in order to ignite the air/fuel mixture. If these are worn out, they will not provide enough voltage to create a spark; this will cause car shake when accelerating.
Worn spark plug leads can also cause similar problems as they carry the spark from the distributor cap to each of the plugs; if these are damaged or loose, it could lead to a misfire and car shake when accelerating.
Conclusion
When your car shakes when accelerating, it’s definitely an unpleasant experience. However, don’t panic – there are a variety of potential causes for this problem, ranging from something as simple as low tire pressure to more complex issues like misfiring or bad spark plugs.
Fortunately, most can be easily diagnosed and fixed with the help of a mechanic or simply by doing some basic maintenance at home. So shake off the worry and get on the road again!
Regular maintenance, such as tire balancing and other preventative services, can help keep your car running smoothly in the long run. So if your car shakes when accelerating—be sure to have it checked out by an experienced mechanic right away.
FAQs: Car Shaking When Accelerating
Why is my car vibrating when I step on the gas?
The reasons can vary, from damaged inner CV joints and motor mounts to unbalanced tires or a bent axle.
Are vibrations during acceleration dangerous?
Yes, vibrations can be bothersome and even dangerous if left unchecked. It can indicate underlying issues that need attention.
What role do lug nuts play in car vibrations?
Loose lug nuts can affect wheel alignment and cause vibrations as the car accelerates. It’s crucial to ensure they are properly tightened.
How do unbalanced tires cause shaking in my car?
When tires are unbalanced, one side is heavier than the other. This causes uneven distribution of weight, leading to vibrations during acceleration.
Is a bent axle a common reason for car vibrations?
Yes, a bent axle is one of the more common reasons. It can be caused by accidents or rough roads and affects both manual and automatic cars.
How does a damaged vacuum hose affect my car’s performance?
A damaged or disconnected vacuum hose can cause an uneven flow of air and fuel into the engine, leading to a lack of power and shaking during acceleration.
Could my car’s spark plugs be the reason for the shaking during acceleration?
Worn spark plugs or damaged leads can cause misfires, affecting engine performance and leading to shaking when accelerating.
How can I prevent my car from shaking in the future?
Regular maintenance, such as tire balancing, checking lug nuts, and inspecting engine components, can help keep your car running smoothly.
Should I see a mechanic as soon as I notice my car shaking when accelerating?
Yes, it’s advisable to consult an experienced mechanic to diagnose and address the issue before it escalates.
Is it expensive to fix the reasons causing my car to shake?
Costs can vary based on the underlying issue. Some fixes may be straightforward, while others might require more extensive repairs or part replacements.
Tim Hayden is a seasoned car mechanic and expert with a wealth of experience in the automotive industry.
With a deep passion for cars and a knack for solving complex mechanical issues, Tim is dedicated to providing valuable insights and practical tips to car owners.
Trust his expertise to keep your vehicle running smoothly.