You may have felt it before—that sickening jolt of the engine rocking your vehicle back and forth. Shuddering is an uncomfortable experience that makes you wonder whether you’re going to reach your destination without calling a tow truck.
Shuddering can be caused by a number of factors, but it isn’t something you need to tolerate. If you believe your car or truck may have been sold to you with a defect, reach out to us at 833.422.7529 for a free consultation and we will investigate the problem.
Why Shuddering Occurs
Though there are many reasons your car may shudder, you can typically track the problem back to one of two sources: the engine or transmission. These should always be the first things you examine when dealing with shuddering.
Here are some of the most common reasons for shuddering:
Damaged Motor Mounts
Your motor mounts hold the engine in place while absorbing all of the engine’s vibration. If the motor mounts are damaged, you’ll notice increased vibrations and shaking while you’re idling.
Solution: The best thing you can do is take your vehicle to the dealership for repairs.
Bad Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are one of the biggest reasons behind engine shuddering. If a spark plug is dirty or worn, it may not fire properly, which means the fuel inside the engine doesn’t ignite.
Solution: You or your dealership can visually inspect your spark plugs for physical integrity. If needed, you can clean or replace them.
Fuel Intake Issues
The intake system is responsible for transporting fuel to the engine. Over time, however, the valves may become clogged, which constricts the flow of gasoline into the engine. With the interruption in flow, the engine will shake and shudder, especially when you’re idling.
Solution: The intakes need to be inspected and possibly even replaced.
Belt Issues
All the belts under your hood can grow worn or frayed over time. If they become loose or break, you’ll feel plenty of vibrations and hear plenty of noise.
Solution: Have any worn, frayed, or broken belts immediately replaced. You can also regularly inspect the belts to ensure they’re in good working condition.
It’s too Cold
Sometimes shuddering can occur when the computer measures the temperature of the cold coolant. To warm up the engine, the computer orders extra gas into the motor until the engine reaches a suitable operating temperature. Shuddering during start up can be a sign of a deeper issue.
Solution: Take your car to a mechanic and look for a way to prevent shuddering.
Seek Legal Assistance for Shuddering
If your vehicle frequently shudders, you may have been sold a lemon. Robison Lemon Law Group LLC can help you navigate both the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and lemon laws to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.