Dealing with a shaky car when accelerating can be scary if you have not faced it before. There could be a variety of reasons for your car shaking when you pull off and you might be wondering what could be causing these vibrations.
If your car is shaking whilst pressing the accelerator pedal, you could be dealing with a variety of issues. These range from tire-related problems to worn-out components that affect the balance of the vehicle. However, incorrect clutch control might be another common cause for those driving manual vehicles and not finding the clutch release point.
For many of these problems, quick fixes are available. However, some aggravated situations might require more diligent checks and complicated fixes. To assist you in determining these possible issues, we have done some research to uncover issues mechanics deal with the most when a car shakes while accelerating.
Why Does My Car Shake When I Pull Off – Top 6 Possible Issues
Whether you need new spark plugs or the tread on your tires are not balanced correctly, your first instinct might be to stop the car when these vibrations occur. However, some are not as severe as others are, but they all need to be fixed, preventing further aggravation. Here are the most common reasons for your car shaking when accelerating according to mechanics:
1. Unbalanced Tires
Problem: Starting with the most common reason first, we have unbalanced tires that could often be one of the main reasons for concern. Whether you have fitted one new tire or significant wear on the others is responsible, it could cause a slight vibration when accelerating. You should also notice the steering wheel shake when driving.
Solution: Rebalancing your tires will be at the top of the priority list and you can visit your local mechanic or any tire shop to have this done. It is one of the fastest ways to fix the shaking issue and would not be that expensive. You can expect to pay between $15 and $50 per tire depending on the mechanic you choose.
2. Worn Out Inner CV Joint
Problem: Your car will have a suspension with an axle that would connect the wheels. At the end of each axle, you will notice a CV joint that holds the wheels against the suspension axle. If the CV joint is damaged, it might not hold the wheel in place as sufficiently as it should. This will allow the car to shake when a load is applied through the gas pedal.
Solution: Before you think of replacing the CV joint, you could try to lubricate the joint and make sure that it does not create any metal-on-metal contact. If the CV joint is still working, this could be a temporary solution. However, a broken CV joint might warrant the full replacement of the inner section of the joint.
3. Bent Or Skewed Driveshaft (Rear-Wheel Drive Vehicles)
Problem: The bent driveshaft issue directly targets the propulsion of rear-wheel-powered vehicles. The engine would transfer power from the engine to the rear of the vehicle and this would then propel the vehicle forward. A bent or damaged driveshaft would cause the rear of the vehicle to shake when accelerating; feeling like you cannot get any traction.
Solution: Since the driveshaft requires you to take apart a large chunk of the car, it is often best to visit a mechanic. You will need to replace the driveshaft, which could cost you thousands of dollars depending on the make and model of your vehicle. However, you will need to do this, as a fully broken driveshaft would hinder the vehicle from receiving any power from the engine.
4. Broken Motor Mounts
Problem: Motor mounts are installed throughout the vehicle and are often close to the engine. These mounts have the responsibility of stabilizing the engine when the combustion process takes place. While there are numerous motor mounts on your vehicle, having one of them broken could cause the vehicle to shake and damage other components. Essentially, the combustion unit would be shaking the car.
Solution: Motor mounts are individual components and they can easily be replaced. Unfortunately, a broken mount cannot be repaired, and fully replacing one of them would be the best performance solution. Since it can be difficult for mechanics to access your engine, you can pay close to $500 to replace motor mounts depending on your vehicle.
5. Dirty Spark Plugs
Problem: If the spark plugs are broken or damaged, you will find that your vehicle might not even start. This is due to the spark not igniting the fuel, which affects the combustion. However dirty spark plugs could affect the spark created. Your vehicle might shake or squirm to get enough fuel to propel the vehicle forward.
Solution: if you have blown spark plugs, the best course of action would be to replace them. However, dirty spark plugs are slightly less concerning and you will need to take them out and clean them. Fortunately, this can be done in the comfort of your home and you should not incur significant repair or labor costs.
6. Loose Wheel Nut
Problem: Much like a broken inner CV joint, the wheel nuts serve the purpose of containing your tires from the other side. A loose wheel nut might be frustrating to deal with and if you do not deal with the issue, your wheel might fall off. The vibrations are often caused by the inconsistent spinning of the wheel. However, it is mostly felt at higher speeds.
Solution: This would be another easy fix and you will need to check each wheel nut with your wheel spanner. The tool will allow you to feel if any of the wheel nuts are loose. You can check to see if they can be tightened. If the wheel nut is damaged or broken, you should have it replaced with another nut and bolt.
Why Does My Car Shake When Accelerating But Stops At Higher Speeds
If you notice the car shaking when you pull off, but subsiding at higher speeds, you could be dealing with stuck brake calipers. As the calipers connect to the wheel, they often rattle the vehicle. However, they will become unstuck at higher speeds and your wheels should spin as normal. It is important to check the brake calipers if you feel this.
Why Does My Gas Pedal Vibrate When I Press It?
Your gas pedal is the main method of communication from you to the combustion engine. As you press it, you will tell the vehicle to release fuel and propel the vehicle forward. Motor mounts hold the engine and combustion chamber in place. However, if the motor mounts are broken, you could feel a vibrating sensation when pressing the gas pedal.