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Why does my car make a clunking noise when shifting from park to drive?
I have a 2012 Chevy, and sometimes, when I shift into gear it makes a loud clunking noise. It can be difficult to shift out of park. I haven’t noticed anything off about my car’s performance, and it only happens sometimes. What causes a clunking noise when shifting from park to drive?
Lynell Spencer · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
This is a common question for car owners, and fortunately, it has a pretty straightforward explanation!
A clunking noise when shifting from park to drive is not uncommon. Usually, it’s caused by parking on an incline, a higher than normal idle, or loose engine mounts.
Of the three options, loose engine mounts are the only cause that will require repair. You can check to see if your engine mounts are loose by doing the following:
- Have someone sit in your car with the car running while you look at the engine.
- Make sure that the parking brake is engaged and that the driver has their foot on the brake.
- Have your driver put the car in drive and step lightly on the gas pedal with their right foot.
- If your engine visibly jumps three to five inches, you have a faulty engine mount. A replacement engine mount costs around $500.
If your engine mount looks ok, there may be a cost-free explanation. For instance:
- If your car is parked on a hill (even a small one), it often rolls a couple of inches before the parking lock catches. If this happens, you’ll hear a clunking sound when shifting from park to drive, which is normal and will not hurt your car.
- Another cause is when your engine is cold, the choke is engaged, or your idle is higher than normal. Any of these will cause a clunk when you shift into gear. Although it’s normal, if it becomes frequent, you may want to have your transmission inspected or your idle adjusted.
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- Gregory R.
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