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Why does my car shake while idling but smooth out while driving?

When I've been driving recently, I noticed my car shakes really bad if I'm idling, but it will stop shaking as soon as I start going again. What would cause the shaking while idling?

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Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
There are several possible reasons why your car shakes at idle but smooths out while driving, so it’s important to get it to a mechanic immediately to avoid further damage.
Here are some reasons why your vehicle might be shaking:
  • Defective motor mounts
  • Damaged timing belt
  • Clogged fuel injectors
  • Bad spark plugs
  • Defective car battery
Any of the above issues can cause your car to shake while idling but could potentially get better when you drive. However, you shouldn’t ignore any problems as they can lead to more extensive (and costly) repairs down the road.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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