Experiencing your car shaking when parked or driving can be a confusing and frustrating issue many of us have faced.
Whether it’s a subtle vibration or an unsettling tremor, this unexpected occurrence can leave you feeling concerned about your car’s health and safety.
We outline the reasons why your car is shaking when parked and driving as well as how to address the problem.
Reasons for car shaking when parked and driving
Here’s why a car shakes when parked and driving:
1. Engine misfire
An engine misfire occurs when one or more cylinders in the engine fail to ignite the air-fuel mixture properly during the combustion process.
This interruption in the combustion cycle can lead to noticeable shaking or vibration in the car.
This is how engine misfire leads to a car shaking when parked and driving:
When Parked: At idle, an engine misfire can cause the car to shake noticeably. The engine runs unevenly, leading to vibrations that can be felt throughout the car.
A misfiring engine might produce a rough or shaky idle, causing the entire car to vibrate even when stationary.
While Driving: Under acceleration, an engine misfire can lead to hesitation, jerking, or a lack of power. This can cause the car to shake or shudder, especially when trying to pick up speed.
The shaking may be more pronounced when climbing uphill or during higher speeds, as the demands on the engine increase.
Related: Car shaking and turning off (Explained)
Signs of engine misfire:
Check Engine Light (CEL): A flashing or steady check engine light can indicate a misfire. Modern cars have onboard diagnostics that can detect engine irregularities, triggering the CEL to alert the driver.
Rough idling: The engine may run unevenly or feel rough at idle, causing the entire car to vibrate noticeably.
Loss of power or acceleration: When driving, a misfire can cause a lack of power during acceleration, accompanied by jerking or hesitation.
Increased fuel consumption: An engine misfire can result in poor fuel efficiency as the engine may not be operating efficiently due to incomplete combustion.
Excessive exhaust emissions: A misfiring engine can produce higher levels of emissions due to unburned fuel passing through the exhaust system.
Solution:
Diagnosing and addressing engine misfires typically involves identifying the specific cylinder(s) experiencing the misfire, enabling targeted repairs or part replacements.
Seek the expertise of a qualified mechanic to diagnose and resolve this problem.
2. Wheel alignment issues
A car that is shaking when parked and driving can be caused by wheel alignment issues.
This is how wheel alignment issues can lead to shaking when parked and driving:
Parked Shaking: While parked, wheel alignment issues may not directly cause shaking but can contribute to uneven tire wear. This uneven wear could eventually lead to imbalances and vibrations.
Driving Shakes: Improper wheel alignment can cause uneven tire contact with the road surface. This leads to irregular tire wear and affects the way the tires interact with the road.
As a result, the car might shake or vibrate, especially at higher speeds, due to the tires’ compromised grip and uneven rolling resistance.
Signs of wheel alignment issues:
- car pulling: A common sign of alignment issues is the car pulling to one side, even when attempting to drive straight on a flat road. This occurs because the wheels are not aligned correctly, causing the car to veer in a particular direction.
- Uneven tire wear: Misaligned wheels can cause uneven wear patterns on the tires. Visually inspecting the tires can reveal excessive wear on certain areas, such as the inner or outer edges, indicating alignment problems.
- Steering wheel off-center: If the steering wheel appears off-center when driving straight, it could signify alignment issues. A properly aligned car should have the steering wheel centered while driving in a straight line.
- Vibration or shaking: Improper wheel alignment can lead to vibrations or shaking, particularly at higher speeds, as the misaligned wheels cause uneven rolling and stability issues.
Solution:
Seek the expertise of a qualified mechanic to diagnose and adjust the angles of the wheels to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Regular alignment checks, especially after hitting potholes or curb impacts, can help prevent uneven tire wear and associated shaking or vibrations while driving.
Alignment adjustments ensure that the tires make proper contact with the road, promoting even wear and a smoother, more stable driving experience.
Related: Car shaking when I stop (Explained)
3. Worn suspension components
A car that is shaking when parked and driving can also be caused by worn suspension components.
Here’s how worn suspension components cause a car to shake when parked and driving:
Parked shaking: When parked, worn suspension components might not directly cause shaking. However, they can lead to uneven weight distribution, causing the car to sit unevenly, potentially contributing to an unsteady feel.
Driving shakes: Worn shocks, struts, or other suspension components compromise the car’s ability to absorb bumps and maintain stability.
This leads to increased bouncing, vibration, or shaking, especially when driving over uneven roads or rough surfaces.
The car might feel unsettled or ‘floaty,’ and the shaking can be felt more prominently at higher speeds.
Signs of worn suspension components:
- Excessive bouncing: When driving over bumps or dips, worn suspension components can cause the car to bounce excessively, indicating reduced shock absorption.
- Steering response changes: Worn suspension parts can result in a noticeable change in steering response. The car might feel less responsive, and the steering might feel loose or imprecise.
- Uneven tire wear: Suspension issues can cause uneven tire wear due to improper wheel alignment or inconsistent contact with the road surface.
- Clunking noises: Worn suspension components can produce clunking or knocking sounds when going over bumps or during turns.
- car sagging or uneven stance: A car with worn suspension components might appear lower on one side or exhibit an uneven stance.
Solution:
Have a qualified mechanic conduct a thorough inspection and diagnosis.
Replacing worn shocks, struts, bushings, or other suspension parts as needed restores a car’s stability and ride comfort.
4. Electrical problems
A car that is shaking when parked and driving can also be caused by electrical problems.
Electrical problems in a car can indirectly lead to shaking when parked and driving due to their impact on crucial engine components and systems.
This is how electrical problems can lead to shaking when parked and driving:
Parked shaking: While parked, certain electrical issues might not directly cause noticeable shaking unless they affect critical engine components like spark plugs or ignition coils.
Faulty electrical connections or components can affect the engine’s smooth operation, leading to rough idling and subtle vibrations.
Driving shakes: Electrical problems affecting components like spark plugs, ignition coils, or sensors can disrupt the engine’s firing sequence or timing.
This disruption can cause the engine to misfire or run irregularly, resulting in vibrations or shaking while driving.
Signs of electrical problems:
- Rough idling: A rough or erratic idle, where the engine vibrates noticeably while the car is stationary.
- Misfiring or hesitation: Engine misfires, hesitation, jerking, or a lack of power during acceleration can be signs of electrical problems affecting the ignition system or sensors.
- Check engine light: A flashing or steady check engine light can indicate various electrical issues within the car.
- Starting issues: Difficulty starting the engine, especially if it cranks but fails to start.
- Stalling or sudden shutdowns: The engine might stall or suddenly shut down while driving, resulting in unexpected loss of power and potential vibrations or shaking.
- Dimming lights or electrical system malfunctions: Dimming headlights, flickering dashboard lights, or other electrical system malfunctions indicate underlying electrical issues.
Solution:
Seek the assistance of a professional mechanic to assess your car’s electrical system.
The assessment involves checking the battery, alternator, starter, ignition system components, sensors, and other electrical connections for faults or malfunctions.